PinoStrong Foundation | Danny A. Pino ROTC Scholarship Fund

With the support of our FIU family, we're changing lives and making a difference for first generation ROTC students

DANNY A. PINO ROTC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

A Florida International University first generation scholarship endowment in memory of Danny A. Pino.

Thirteen years to the day after witnessing the impact of September 11, Danny Pino received his Army Combat Uniform after joining the ROTC at FIU.

Loyal, compassionate and always willing to put others before himself, Danny embodied the values of the officers he hoped one day to become. He was kindhearted and genuine, a passionate baseball player who hoped to one day join the United States Special Operations Forces.

Danny’s discipline, dedication and drive are reflected in his recruitment to play baseball by the United States Merchant Marine Academy and his decision to enter FIU and join the ROTC.

Expanding his legacy, FIU is proud to present this opportunity to establish the Danny Pino Memorial First Generation Scholarship Endowment with an initial gift of $50,000. Earnings from the endowment will support FIU’s First Generation Scholarship Fund, in perpetuity – ensuring that first generation students who are following the same ROTC path as Danny have the financial resources needed to realize their academic and professional dreams at FIU.

Earnings from the scholarship endowment will be matched 100% by the State of Florida, maximizing its impact for ROTC students who are the first generation in their family to pursue a college degree. Scholarship recipients will be known as Danny Pino Scholars, creating a lasting means of honoring Danny’s legacy for decades to come. FIU’s First Generation Scholarship Fund brings the American dream within reach of our first generation students, those who are first in their families to pursue a college degree. Since the program’s inception in 2006, nearly 8,830 First Generation Scholarships were allocated to FIU students. The Fund provides critical support to make an FIU degree possible, given the fact that nearly 56% of our financial aid recipients come from families with annual household incomes less than $30,000.

To qualify for the Danny Pino Scholarship, students must demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in FIU’s ROTC program, and write an essay on why they joined the ROTC. The award amount will be $1,000 per student. The gift will be payable over six years, with annual payments allocated as follows:

$4,000 annually allocated to the endowed scholarship fund, every year for 6 years.
$500 allocated for immediate scholarships, matched by the state for a total scholarship of $1,000 per student.

DONATE TODAY

Support The Danny A. Pino ROTC Scholarship Fund

This generous investment will support first generation students who embody Danny’s determination, empowering scholarship recipients to realize their academic and professional dreams. Investments in FIU and our students are more than just scholarships – they are investments in the greater community of Miami and beyond. FIU is privileged to partner with the Pino family in tribute to the values of loyalty and selfless service which Danny embraced. Ultimately, this legacy gift will advance FIU’s efforts to prepare Worlds Ahead graduates who utilize their degree to serve communities throughout South Florida, the nation and beyond – forever honoring the impact and kindhearted spirit of Danny Pino.