Students Financial Aid Programs

by | Jul 1, 2021 | Newsletter

We’re pleased to re-introduce two student financial aid programs and announce a new addition for the academic year 2021-22. Thanks to the generosity of private donors and philanthropic foundations, Pars Equality Center (Pars) offers the following assistance to qualified students:
 

  • Pars Youth Grant /The American Dream is a grant dedicated to ensuring future generation’s academic success. Students must be currently graduating from high school in California, with specific plans to continue their education in a College or a University in California. The amount of the grant varies based on financial need and educational costs of the institute for each student. The maximum award will be $10,000 per student.  The deadline for submitting the application is July 15. To apply, please click HERE.
     
  • The Goodarzi Scholarship Grant is a financial aid designed to support students in California. This grant is awarded to female students of Iranian descent who-within the last seven years-have migrated to the United States. The maximum award will be $10,000 per student.  The deadline for submitting the application is July 15. To apply, please click HERE.
     
  • Hand & Lift Grant assists college students of any nationalities  in California’s Bay Area who are experiencing financial hardship. The intent of this grant is to lend a helping hand to students who need a financial lift. The grant is meant to complement other financial assistance students may receive to help support their tuition and/or living expenses. The maximum award will be $5,000 per student.  The deadline for submitting the application is August 30. To apply, please click HERE.

 If you have any questions about the scholarships, please don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected].

Tax Preparation Programs

by | Jun 3, 2021 | Newsletter

Since 2014, Pars Equality Center (Pars) has operated no-cost Tax Preparation Programs for low-income participants in San Jose and Los Angeles in conjunction with our local IRS offices.  The agency assists participants in preparing their annual tax returns and helps eligible candidates apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). 

Over the 2020 Tax season (February 15, 2021 – May 17, 2021), Pars has achieved remarkable results in the agency’s free Tax Preparation and EITC Programs. Pars has filed a total of 364 tax returns through the VITA system (in Los Angeles in partnership with CSUN university and Korean Community Center).  Our tax clients have successfully obtained $392,369 in federal tax refunds and $88,808 in EITC. This was made possible by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who worked diligently to meet clients virtually and in-person to prepare free tax returns during the pandemic.

Guidance on Travel of U.S. Citizens with Expired Passports

by | May 26, 2021 | 2021

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Department of State announced that beginning May 21, 2021, U.S. citizens will be able to return to the United States on an expired U.S. passport through December 31, 2021, if they:

  • are a U.S. citizen.
  • are currently abroad seeking to return to the United States.
  • are flying directly to the United States, a U.S. territory, or have only short-term transit (connecting flight) through a foreign country on their return to the United States or to a U.S. territory.
  • have an expired passport that was originally valid for 10 years (or 5 years if the individual was 15 years of age or under when the passport was issued).
  • have an expired passport that is undamaged and in their possession.

Please note that an expired U.S. passport may not be used to travel from the United States to an international destination for any duration longer than an airport connection.

City Of San Jose Equity Task Force

by | May 6, 2021 | Newsletter


Legal Director of Pars Equality Center, Paris Etemadi Scott, is one of the 9 community leaders chosen to lead the City of San Jose Equity Task Force. This new task force is collaborating with the City in an effort to create a more equitable and people-focused transportation system as well as other initiatives such as addressing climate change. Pars Equality Center’s involvement with local government builds an influential voice for the Iranian American community and educates policymakers about our opinions. To read more, please clickHERE.

Your support of our organization has been instrumental in elevating our position within our local communities. Together, we can build a future where Iranian Americans are seen as important constituency in the eyes of U.S. policymakers.