WESTPORT — A $20,000 scholarship has been awarded to a Westport college student by Charter Communications.

Joseph Diaz-Ordonez, who is studying finance at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, is one of 20 scholarship recipients in the 2023 Spectrum Scholars program, awarded by the Stamford-based telecommunications firm.

Diaz-Ordonez, a Staples High School graduate, also will be paired with a Charter mentor and have the opportunity for an internship at one of the company’s corporate offices.

This year, Charter allocated a total of $400,000 for the 20 scholarship recipients to use during junior and senior years in college. 

To qualify, the recipients — selected by Charter executives from more than 800 submissions — had to be rising college juniors with financial need and identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and/or Native American, according to a company statement.

Diaz-Ordonez, in the company statement, said the scholarship “will significantly contribute to the achievement of my career and future goals.”