About the Antonio and Carmen Cua 2026 Scholarship Program

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The Antonio and Carmen Cua Scholarship was established to celebrate the courage, resilience, and profound impact of the Filipino immigrant experience. Named in honor of the founder’s parents, this scholarship is a tribute to a generation that embraced the ultimate risk: leaving everything behind to build a new reality on the other side.

Every year, millions of people leave the Philippines in pursuit of a better life. In fact, over 10% of the Filipino population lives and works abroad, forming one of the largest global diasporas in the world. Driven by an unwavering commitment to family and a legendary work ethic, Filipino immigrants have consistently turned sacrifice into opportunity, bringing excellence to every corner of the globe.

Antonio and Carmen Cua lived this exact story. Relying on deep-rooted Filipino traditions, self-reliance, and a fierce commitment to both family and community, they engineered an amazing life in a new place from the ground up. This scholarship exists to bring awareness to this shared history and to ensure that the flame of Filipino excellence continues to burn bright.

The Antonio and Carmen Cua Scholarship looks for the next generation of builders and innovators. We are currently in search of students who demonstrate a strong dedication to uplifting and advancing the Filipino and Filipino-American community, and who embody the key characteristics that allowed Antonio and Carmen to succeed:

• Curiosity: A lifelong hunger to learn, explore, and question the world around them.
• Tenacity: The gritty resilience to face obstacles head-on and keep moving forward.
• Building: The drive to take risks and engineer new solutions or paths where none existed before.
• Bettering the World: A deep-rooted desire to use their education and skills to uplift their family, their community, and the world.

Whether you are pursuing engineering, technology, or any field dedicated to progress, if you possess a strong work ethic and a desire to build a better reality, we want to support your journey.

This scholarship is open to all eligible students in Washington State who demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting, advancing, and uplifting the Filipino and Filipino-American community.

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Residency: Must be a current resident of Washington State.
• Academic Standing: Must be a scholastic achiever with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). An official or unofficial transcript is required for verification.
• Community Alignment: Open to all applicants who demonstrate a dedicated interest or track record in advancing the Filipino-American community.
• Enrollment Status: Must fit into one of the following categories:
  • Recent High School Graduates: A recent graduated high school senior with documented proof of acceptance into, pending admission into, or currently attending a university STEM program for the upcoming academic year. Please provide an official college acceptance letter or similar record for verification.
  • Current High School Seniors:  A graduating senior with documented proof of acceptance or pending admission into a university STEM program for the upcoming academic year. Please provide an official college acceptance letter, one letter of recommendation from a high school STEM teacher or school counselor, or similar record to verify your academic track and intent to enroll into a university STEM program.

⚠️ Important Note on Disbursement: To ensure proper stewardship of scholarship funds, all awards are conditional upon finalized verification of eligibility requirements including proof or intent for enrollment.

Are you ready to apply? Please complete and submit the following components:

To help us identify competitive, high-achieving individuals who possess a strong work ethic and a drive for excellence, please provide:

• Resume / CV: A current resume outlining your academic history, achievements, and technical skills.
• Experience & Involvement: Details regarding your relevant experience, including:
  • Co-curricular & Extracurricular Activities: Leadership roles, clubs, STEM competitions, or community organizations.
  • Work Experience: Full-time, part-time, or internship experiences that demonstrate your commitment and work ethic.
  • Achievements & Honors: Awards, scholarships, or special recognition that showcase your drive.
• Supplemental Letters of Recommendation (Optional): We welcome additional letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, counselors, or supervisors that can further highlight your qualifications, character, and potential.  Impress us with your credentials to make your application stand out.

Please submit a compelling essay responding to the following prompt:

Antonio and Carmen Cua took the ultimate risk by moving across the world to build a life from the ground up. Describe a pivotal moment in your life where you took a major risk to pioneer a new initiative, project, or direction for yourself. How did your curiosity and tenacity drive that experience, and how do you plan to use your STEM education to build a better reality for yourself, your family, or your community while contributing to the advancement of the Filipino-American community?

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to invest in your future. The deadline for applications is August 30th.

We eagerly await your inspiring applications and look forward to celebrating your achievements!