Alan R. Epstein Reach for the Stars Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Miami Foundation

Introduction
The Miami Foundation supports the development of future leaders and community changemakers by awarding scholarships that promote educational access and recognize academic achievement. One such opportunity is the Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach For The Stars’ Scholarship.

About the Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach For The Stars’ Scholarship
Established by the Epstein family in memory of a remarkable young man who lost his life in an automobile accident, this scholarship honors students who have faced and overcome significant hardships. It is intended for Miami-Dade County high school seniors who have shown resilience and strength of character in the face of life’s challenges. Recipients may have the opportunity to continue receiving funds in subsequent years; students may re-apply after their first college year for a maximum of two years.

Award
- Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
- Multi-year renewal option available (see note above)

Important deadline
All applications must be completed and submitted online by Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

How to apply
- Submit your application through The Miami Foundation’s scholarship portal: scholarships.miamifoundation.org. Follow the registration and submission instructions posted there.
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and applicants will not be contacted to provide missing materials.
- Paper, faxed, or mailed applications are not accepted.
- If awarded, scholarship funds must be applied toward the official cost of attendance at the recipient’s institution.

Eligibility requirements
To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a high school senior graduating from a Miami-Dade County high school in Spring 2026
- Have been accepted to a college or university and upload a copy of the acceptance letter(s) with the application

Selection process and evaluation criteria
A Scholarship Advisory Committee will evaluate and score submitted applications and determine award recipients. The committee will consider the following components:
- Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach for the Stars’ Scholarship Statement addressing your family’s financial situation
- Personal Statement describing the personal obstacles you have faced and how they have affected your life
- Record of volunteer work, paid employment, and school activities
- Letter of recommendation
- College acceptance letter(s)
- Unofficial high school transcript

If you meet the eligibility requirements and have faced significant adversity with perseverance, we encourage you to apply by the March 15, 2026 deadline.