Carl’s Jr. announced the award recipients of the 2005 La Estrella Latina de Carl’s Jr. Scholarship Program. In an effort to award deserving students and support continuing education, the quick-service restaurant chain has awarded $60,000, or 60-$1,000 awards, to college-bound students from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas.

“Carl’s Jr. was founded and continues to operate under the belief that success occurs as the result of hard work, determination and leadership,” says Andrew Puzder, president and CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. “We are pleased to be able to assist these 60 students who have used those same fundamentals to be successful thus far in their academic careers, and we wish them luck in the next step of their education.”

Including the $60,000 in scholarships granted this year, the La Estrella Latina de Carl’s Jr. Scholarship Program has granted more than $260,000 in scholarships since the program’s inception in 1999. Recipients are selected based on their academic record, school and community leadership and participation, work experience, and future goals. Financial need and other family circumstances are also considered. This year, more than 5,000 applications were received over a one-month period from candidates nationwide.