Scholarships for Students

Last Friday, some of us had the opportunity to attend the annual Northwest Vista Scholarship Recognition Breakfast where we thanked individuals and companies for their donations and provided the opportunity for them to connect with students who benefit from the donations. 

Among those attending the event were not only outside donors but students and some of our own employees who donate and/or coordinate activities to raise scholarship funds for those students.

The Feb. 15 breakfast highlighted a few of the 289 NVC students who have received scholarships this year.  Three student speakers at the breakfast shared how scholarships have impacted their lives. Monica Cuellar-Flores, a mother of five children, talked about returning to college after 13 years with the goal of continuing her education, thanks to a scholarship from funds donated by USAA.

As tuition costs increase, it becomes more challenging for students – even those who are on financial aid – to set aside the funds required to attend college.  Scholarships allow students to stay in school, complete more quickly and reduce debt.

 Last year, 263 NVC students were awarded scholarships compared to 289 this year. Across the Alamo Colleges, there were 3,600 scholarship applications submitted to the Alamo Colleges Foundation, but there were only Foundation funds available to award scholarships to 1,160 students, about one-third of those who applied. 

The efforts of  our employees to both donate and to raise scholarship funds has contributed to an increase in the dollars and the number of scholarships available to support NVC students, and I have no doubt those efforts will continue. 

Another factor in the rise of scholarship funding for our students has been the initiatives of our folks to raise student awareness of scholarship opportunities. Thanks to the effort of team members such as scholarship coordinator, Lucy Gauna, and many others for helping to make that happen. Thanks also to the team of people that made the Scholarship Recognition Breakfast a special occasion. Several of the donors who attended have indicated that they want to help more. I would say that is one good measure of “creating opportunities for success.”