Helios supports FIU students during their Last Mile
Daniela del Castillo’s journey from Cuba to Miami took place a decade ago, but her desire to prosper has never aged. Graduating from Florida International University (FIU) with a degree in biology brings her one step closer to that prosperity.
“I’ve been working really hard since I started dual enrollment classes at age 15,” explained del Castillo.
An invitation to attend the School for Advanced Studies, a nationally recognized collegiate high school in Miami-Dade County, set her on a course to complete an associate degree from Miami-Dade College alongside her high school diploma. Challenged by rigorous courses, del Castillo focused on academics and her goal of becoming a veterinarian.
To complete her degree at FIU, del Castillo balanced full-time academics, part-time work, and an internship. Despite her focus and the support of family, financial and transportation challenges have been difficult to overcome.
“I knew I had to find scholarships. I was looking through the FIU scholarship portal and found the Last Mile Scholarship, which I really appreciate,” explained del Castillo.
In 2019, Helios Education Foundation invested $900,000 to establish the Helios Last Mile Scholarship at FIU. The scholarship worth up to $2,000 supports students who demonstrate unmet financial need and have a proven record of academic success to reach degree completion.
Students with at least 90 credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA are eligible for the Helios Last Mile Scholarship.
“We are proud to offer this scholarship to ensure students make it across the graduation stage and can benefit from degree completion,” said Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation.
“College is very expensive. I want to thank the foundation and all the donors for giving me this opportunity,” concluded del Castillo.
Del Castillo will graduate from FIU this summer. She plans to attend veterinary school starting fall 2024.