The Mexican government and non-profit organizations teamed up Tuesday to award college grants totaling $60,000 to 169 students in San Diego County.
One of the winners was Manuel Lopez, 42, who proved that it's never too late to go back to school.
The San Ysidro resident, who is a first-year student at Alliant International University, said the grant will give him a chance to pursue his dream of obtaining a college degree.
"Age does not matter when you want to study," Lopez said. "I started studying to help my children, to be able to teach them what I learn."
He said he will use the funds to cover student fees, as well as pay for books and gasoline.
"Everything is so expensive these days," said Lopez, who is studying International Relations. "I'm really thankful. This grant allows me to continue my studies."
His mother, Irene Lopez, said she was very proud of her son and encouraged other Mexican students to take advantage of these types of scholarships.
"I hope that this opens the way for many others to see that these funds are an opportunity."
The grants are awarded annually by the local members of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior), a group convened by the Mexican government to advise it on issues that affect the immigrant community in the United States. The ceremony was held at the Mexican Consulate near downtown San Diego.
A local committee selected five academic institutions to receive a total of $60,000 in grants for 169 students in college, certification programs and adult school.
The grants were awarded this year to the University of San Diego, Alliant International University, Casa Familiar, Grossmont College and the adult education program at the San Diego County Office of Education.
The grant program began in 2005 and has helped more than 16,000 students across the United States, thanks to a fund of $2.6 million, half from the Mexican government and the rest from U.S.-based non-profit organizations promoting education.
The grants are distributed through Mexican consular offices across the United States.
"The goal is to promote education in the Mexican community that lives in the United States," said Remedios Gómez Arnau, Mexico's consul-general in the San Diego.
One local winner was 19-year-old Juan Carlos Barragan, who moved here from Connecticut. Thanks to the grant, he was able to enroll at the University of San Diego, where he's studying business administration.
"I applied to many schools looking for one that would offer me the financial aid I needed," said Barragan, who said he applied to 18 universities.
"I wanted my family to see that all of the sacrifices they have made were not in vain. Now, I will be able to go to the university."
[sidebar]Grant winners
San Diego County Office of Education
Adult School
$11,000
Casa Familiar
Casa Azteca program: $10,000
Vocational certification: $8,000
Adult school: $3,000
USD
$10,000
Alliant International University
$10,000
Grossmont College
Vocational certification
$8,000
[/sidebar]
alexandra. mendoza@sandiegored.com
