Scholarships

Since 1997 the MSF has provided college scholarships to students who graduate from mariachi and ballet folklórico programs we support. These programs are primarily part of the Sweetwater Union High School District and Southwestern College, in the South Bay of San Diego county — the cities of Chula Vista, National City and San Ysidro, California.

Guaranteed Awards

Our scholarship program is quite powerful and very unique. Students who meet the following criteria are guaranteed a scholarship:

Participate in a mariachi program supported by the Mariachi Scholarship Foundation for 2 or more years.

Be currently enrolled in mariachi at the time of graduation.

Have a cumulative 3.2 grade point average or above (on a 4-point scale) upon graduation.

Attend college full-time in the semester immediately following graduation from high school, or transfer to a 4-year university (full-time) immediately after graduating from Southwestern College.

Complete the scholarship application in full and deliver it on time.

The guaranteed nature of these awards is extremely powerful, even transformative: we are able to tell a student, “Stay in school, get good grades, keep playing mariachi music and when you go to college we promise we’ll give you a scholarship to help you pay for it.” For students who live in an economically depressed community, are first- or second-generation Americans, with parents who don’t speak English, and who are likely the first ever in their family to attend college — for these students especially and others as well, we may be the only ones encouraging them to think about going to college at all, let alone helping them to afford it. Imagine when we tell a 12-year-old student who is just starting to play mariachi, “Study hard to get good grades and we’ll help you go to college” — for many of these students, that literally is the first time they’ve heard those words.

Competitive Awards

In addition to these guaranteed mariachi scholarships, which have averaged about $1000 per student over the years, we also offer the following, competitive scholarships based on academic achievement, personal statements and teacher recommendations:

Founder’s award

($3,000, one per year) — to the most outstanding student who has received a 4.0 GPA or above.

Christine aranda award

($2,000, one per year) — to the student for whom participation in mariachi has had the greatest impact on their lives.

Ballet Folklórico Award

($750 each, four per year) — to the top 4 ballet folklórico students, based on the criteria above.

Continuing Southwestern College Mariachi Student Scholarship

($500 each, funds permitting) — contingent on the availability of funds, we may give an award to SWC mariachi students who are enrolled full time and continue studying at SWC.

Special awards

Subject to the availability of funds, upon recommendation of the Scholarship Committee and approval of the Board of Directors, we may award scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding academic or artistic achievement but do not meet some or all of the requirements for the guaranteed awards.

Over the years the MSF has awarded over $500,000 to more than 500 students to support their higher education.

Student Testimonials

“Mariachi has shown me the beauty behind my Mexican roots and has made me proud of them.”

Karelly, 2020

“Not only have I discovered my Mexican roots through mariachi and its history, but it has also brought me closer to my family.”

Carolina, 2013

“Mariachi music has encouraged me to pursue higher education.”

Brianna, 2011

“Mariachi has given me a new outlook on my life and culture.”

Carolina, 2013

“Mariachi has become a part of me and a tradition I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Maria, 2011

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

Brianna, 2011

“All of my experiences in the Mariachi program have endorsed my mental development and my maturity level; priceless contributions to my dream of becoming an educated man.”

Andres, 2013

“Mariachi classes have not only moved me closer to my goals but have opened me up to complete new life goals.”

Miguel, 2013

“[Mariachi classes] have enriched my life with culture and perspective and have motivated me to give back to my community.”

Miguel, 2013

“[Mariachi] is a style of music that comes from the heart and has given me opportunities most people only dream of.”

Maria, 2011

Become an amigo!

USD

Mission Statement

"Enhancing education and the community by supporting the study and performance of mariachi music in schools
and awarding college scholarships to students who graduate from these programs since 1996.”
501(c)3 ID: 33-0866851