SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - The Ram Truck brand and The Chrysler Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s largest provider of college financial aid for Latino students. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Chrysler Scholarship Program is designed to support outstanding Latino undergraduate or graduate students interested in a career in the automotive industry.

The grant was announced by Fred Diaz, President and CEO - Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC, during the International Hispanic Network’s gala and awards ceremony in San Antonio.

“I believe what has anchored me through the ups and downs at Chrysler are my roots,” Diaz told the audience. “Despite being somewhat underprivileged in my younger years, I have very fond memories of growing up in a warm, close-knit, densely populated Hispanic community where everyone looked out for each other, respected one another, and where humility was and continues to be a cherished value.”

Diaz reminisced about growing up in San Antonio during his address, and how his mother influenced his passion and dedication towards making his hometown a better place. As a result, Diaz directs his yearly donations to the United Way of San Antonio in support of education, and women and children’s shelters.

“As a Latino, I am doubly proud that my company has a strong commitment to diversity and multiculturalism,” Diaz said.

In December 2011, Diaz announced a similar $50,000 grant to HSF during the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fiesta Hispana Gala in Dearborn, Mich. The newly announced Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Chrysler Scholarship Program continues a longstanding relationship between The Chrysler Foundation and HSF, which began in 1986. Since that time, HSF has received 26 grants from the Foundation totaling more than $800,000; with the last $100,000 being announced in the past six months.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
• Be of Hispanic heritage.
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a permanent resident card or passport I-551 (not expired).
• Be pursuing their first undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Be a current sophomore, junior, or senior at a four-year accredited institution in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam during the 2011-12 academic year.
• Be majoring in: mechanical, electrical or industrial engineering at an accredited Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) program; computer science, computer engineering, business or management with a concentration in computer science or management information systems; business or economics from an accredited school with one or more of the following disciplines preferred: supply chain management, finance, international business, accounting, general business or entrepreneurship.