Alan R. Epstein Reach for the Stars Scholarship

The Miami Foundation is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders and change-makers within our community. Our scholarships advance educational equity by providing financial assistance to students in need and celebrating academic excellence.

Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach For The Stars’ Scholarship

The Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach for the Stars’ Scholarship, established by the Epstein family, serves as a tribute to the life of an exceptional young man, tragically lost in a car accident. This scholarship is awarded to Miami-Dade County high school seniors who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming life’s challenges.

The application deadline is March 15, 2026.

Award Amount Range: $1,000 to $5,000 (Multi-Year Scholarship Opportunity)

History

The Epstein family established the Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach for the Stars’ Scholarship to honor the life of an outstanding young man who was tragically killed in an automobile accident. Scholarships are awarded to students who have endured extreme life challenges, and have displayed the character and courage to overcome such obstacles. Students are able to re-apply after their first year for a maximum of two years.

Submission + Deadline

Applications must be submitted online by Sunday, March 15th at 11:59 p.m.

Applicants must submit an application via The Miami Foundation’s scholarship application portal. To access the online portal, please visit The Miami Foundation’s Scholarship page at scholarships.miamifoundation.org and carefully review the registration instructions.

If an application is missing information, our office will not inform the applicant nor review the application. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

If awarded, scholarship funds may be applied toward your institution’s official cost of attendance.

Eligibility

In order to qualify, applicants must:

• Be a current high school senior graduating from a Miami-Dade County high school in Spring 2026
• Be accepted to a college or university and present a copy of the acceptance letter(s) with this application

Selection Criteria

A Scholarship Advisory Committee will review and rate the applications and make final decisions on scholarship awards. The following elements will be considered in evaluating applicants. Please review these guidelines carefully to see descriptions of each of these items:

• Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach for the Stars’ Scholarship Statement that describe circumstances related to your family’s financial status
• Personal Statement Essay about personal obstacles and their positive impact on your life
• Volunteer/ Work Experience and School Activities
• Letter of Recommendation
• College Acceptance Letters
• Unofficial Transcript