The Alamo Colleges Foundation and the City of San Antonio's Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women have created a $40,000 scholarship fund to support non-traditional students. This helps those who started college later by easing financial stress and shows the city's support for education, as reported by the City of San Antonio.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg has expressed his support for the program, saying, "This initiative aims to ease financial burdens and empower individuals balancing family responsibilities while furthering their education.” The scholarships are particularly geared towards parents making their way back into higher education, looking to uplift not just themselves but their families as well, according to a statement on the City of San Antonio's official website.
Students who wish to benefit from this scholarship must be enrolled at one of the Alamo Colleges, maintain a 2.0 GPA, show proof of at least one dependent child at the time of application, and be considered a non-traditional student with a gap after high school before college enrollment. Students receiving the scholarship can use the funds, which amount up to $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters, towards various expenses from tuition to childcare, as detailed by the City of San Antonio.
The initial group of beneficiaries includes ten students from across the Alamo Colleges District, with individuals like Angel Bernal and Chenoa Faison from San Antonio College, and Luz Castro from St. Philip’s College, among others. Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor, described the impact of these scholarships saying, "It will help student parents balance family and education while opening doors to a brighter future, for themselves, their children, and our entire community," as stated by the City of San Antonio.
Vanessa Martinez, MCSW Chair, underscored the significance of the scholarship: “The Commission recognizes the determination and resilience of nontraditional students, and we are proud to support their journey toward a higher education and economic stability,” as per the City of San Antonio. This sentiment speaks volumes about San Antonio's broader vision for its residents, banking on education as a foundational pillar for community prosperity.
