Scholarships

Panda Express Helps College Students: The Panda Cares Scholars Program

The Panda Cares Scholars Program offers financial aid and career development to high-achieving minority students entering their freshman year of college.

Shawna Newman

September 12, 2025

Are you a high-achieving student with a passion for community service and a desire to make a difference? The Panda Cares Scholars Program could be your key to lowering the cost of college and a brighter future. This scholarship, managed by UNCF, Inc. and supported by Panda Express Associates and Guests, provides financial support, and career development opportunities to help you become a leader in your field.

Apply for the Panda Express Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline: 10/30/25 Scholarship Award Amount: $5,000

Who is Eligible for the Scholarship?

The Panda Cares First-Year Scholars Program specifically designs its program for minority incoming freshman undergraduate students. To be considered for this prestigious opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:
  • Financial Need: You must demonstrate a verifiable financial need. Many scholarship providers require scholarship applicants to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to demonstrate financial need.
  • Academic Excellence: Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Enrollment: Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college or university.
  • How to Apply and Key Dates

    The application process is straightforward and focuses on your academic merit, personal story, and community involvement. Be sure to gather the following: A letter of recommendation that highlights your strengths. A personal statement that showcases your goals and aspirations.
    The deadline to apply for the scholarship is October 30, 2025.

    What Does the Scholarship Include?

    The Panda Cares Scholars Program provides scholarship awards up to $5,000. Beyond the scholarship money, the program helps student scholars succeed by providing access to career development training. This training challenges students to become leaders in their communities and on campus. The scholarship program supports high-achieving, goal-oriented high school seniors or first-time incoming college students who are committed to community service.

    Find Your Perfect-Fit Scholarship

    After applying for the Panda Cares Scholars Program, you can continue your search for financial aid by exploring other scholarship opportunities. The key is to find scholarships that fit your unique profile and increase your chances of winning. A great way to streamline this process is by creating a free Fastweb profile. Instead of spending hours sifting through thousands of options, your customized profile uses details like your GPA, extracurricular activities, intended major, and other personal information to match you with scholarships that are the right fit. By focusing on scholarship opportunities you actually qualify for, you can make the application process more efficient and effective. This approach helps you spend your time on opportunities that are genuinely a good match for you, making your scholarship search more successful.

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    Shawna Newman

    Managing Editor, Contributing Writer

    Shawna Newman covers various topics related to post-secondary education, including trade schools, the military, and college. She details strategies for paying for school, such as scholarships, financial ai...