Applications are now open for the fifth year of the Live Más Scholarships for students looking for help pursuing their educational goals and career aspirations.

In 2016, the Taco Bell Foundation created the Live Más Scholarship as a way to reward students for their passions and ideas, rather than academic merit or athletic ability, which is usually the criteria for most scholarships. 

According to EdBuild, predominantly white school districts receive $23 billion more than districts that serve mostly students of color. This wide gap in funding has left many students of color at a major disadvantage, as their schools are more likely to lack resources dedicated to test prep, application development, athletic programs and more. 

"With student debt in America reaching an all-time high, the Taco Bell Foundation is proud to be part of the solution, fulfilling a growing need for accessible scholarship opportunities," Tina Nguyen, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation, said in a press release. 

Of last year’s 531 winners, more than half were students of color. This year, the Taco Bell Foundation is aiming to award more than $6 million to passionate young students—a total scholarship sum which is nearly $2 million more than last year.

The scholarships for first-time recipients will range from $5,000 to $25,000 per student, ages 16 to 24. Past winners are also eligible to renew their scholarships. 

To apply, students must submit a two-minute video describing their passion and how they can use that passion to make a difference in the world. 

In addition to a check, Live Más Scholarship recipients are also given access to a network of like-minded peers and mentors who can help them build connections and develop personal and professional skills. One of the ways the Taco Bell Foundation has done this is through Live Más Scholarship Workshops.

This past summer, about 200 scholars gathered in workshops in various cities across the U.S., including Philadelphia, and cultivated valuable tools to help them learn how to explore their passion in the professional world, and use it in order to make an impact in the world. 

Applications for the 2020 Live Más Scholarship will close on January 23, 2020, and winners will be announced in the spring.

To access the application, click here.