The Ronald McDonald House Charities®/Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources and the African-American Future Achievers

SOUTH FLORIDA - Local Hispanic and African-American graduating high school seniors can now find their road to success with Ronald McDonald House Charities®/Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources (RMHC/HACER) and the RMHC/African-American Future Achievers scholarship programs. Additionally, RMHC will offer two scholarships to outstanding students regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, disability or national origin.

A total of 20 scholarships will be awarded in 2011. Scholarship awards are $2,000 each and are designated for graduating high school seniors. Also, through the support of the McDonald’s Hispanic Operator Association four RMHC/HACER national scholarships will be awarded. These new awards will be awarded to four students selected from the national pool of RMHC/HACER applicants. Each scholarship will total $100,000 payable over 4 years.

Applications are now available on-line at www.rmhc.org. The application deadline is January 28, 2011

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

§ RMHC/HACER Scholarship: Must have at least one parent of Hispanic origin

§ RMHC/Future Achievers Scholarship: Must have at least one parent of African-American origin or Black Caribbean heritage

§ RMHC/Scholars: ALL Students may apply regardless of ethnic heritage. Note: Asian, African American and Hispanic students are welcome to apply for the RMHC Scholars program provided they have not applied for one of the two scholarship programs listed above.

§ Must be a legal US resident

§ Be less than 21 years of age

§ Must be eligible to enroll and attend an institution of higher education or a vocational/technical school

§ Plan to enroll at an accredited post-secondary education institution during the academic year following their graduation

§ A 2.7 minimum GPA

§ Reside in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, West Palm Beach Counties and Treasure Coast

Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, community service, and, personal qualities and strengths as portrayed in a required essay.

RMHC/HACER and Future Achievers are scholarship programs of Ronald McDonald House Charities global office and its U.S. Chapters, and are supported by McDonald’s Owners/Operators and McDonald’s Corporation.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)Ò of South Florida has been dedicated to helping local children live happier, healthier and more productive lives by supporting health care and medical research programs, education and the arts, and civic and social programs. Its cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a “home away from home” for families with ill children receiving treatment at nearby pediatric medical facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. RMHC of South Florida also awards grants to local not-for-profit organizations serving children through a portion of donations from McDonald’s customers and Global Ronald McDonald House Charities matching grants.