Posted on: 06/26/2023

Education Forward Arizona and Aliento offer 60 Adelante Scholarships

Adelante Scholars logo

Education Forward Arizona and Aliento offer 60 Adelante Scholarships; Priority deadline to apply is July 1, 2023

PHOENIX – Arizona students whose college-going plans were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply for a new scholarship by July 1, 2023. Education Forward Arizona, a leading nonprofit education organization, and Aliento, a youth-led organization that serves undocumented, DACA, and mixed-immigration-status families, are partnering to raise awareness about the Adelante Scholarship.

Sixty scholarships for the 2023-24 school year will be distributed to Arizona students who qualify. Each scholarship is valued at $4,000 (for those enrolled in a community college) or $6,000 (for those enrolled at a university) for the year.

Each of the 60 students selected for the one-year scholarship will receive essential wraparound services from Education Forward Arizona Success Advisers, who will provide mentoring, tutoring, and other essential resources. This includes quarterly coaching/mentoring from a dedicated success adviser; peer networking sessions, trainings, and workshops; and connections to on-campus resource centers.

“We believe in the transformative power of education,” said Rich Nickel, president and CEO of the Education Forward Arizona. “Investing in talented students from diverse backgrounds has the potential to shape a brighter future for our state. Arizona has everything to gain – opportunities for individuals, a qualified workforce, a thriving economy, and an improved quality of life – when more residents complete education and training after high school.”

"The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted the Dreamer community as we were not eligible for government assistance and, at the time, not eligible for in-state tuition at our higher education institutions,” said Reyna Montoya, Founder/CEO of Aliento. “In light of the passage of Prop 308, Aliento is thrilled to partner with the Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona in extending the Helios Adelante Scholarship to Dreamers. The Adelate Scholarship Program is a testament to the commitment to ensure all students, including Dreamers, can access an affordable college education."

Helios Education Foundation has generously committed to funding $360,000 for the scholarships and wraparound services for the 60 students.

“In order to reach our statewide Achieve60AZ goal for postsecondary attainment, we must address college enrollment declines and re-engage students on the path to pursuing education after high school,” said Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “That is why Helios Education Foundation began working with our partners to identify a way to help the Class of 2020 and 2021 – the most affected by the impact of COVID-19 – to engage in postsecondary education.”

For first generation college student Daniel Alvarez, the Adelante Scholarship has given him the ability to focus on his studies at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Arizona State University, instead of worrying about how he's going to pay for it.

“The Adelante Scholarship has allowed me to pursue my dreams of graduating from college,” he said. “One of the best parts of this scholarship is the help that you get from Success Advisors who want the absolute best for you and help you every step of the way.”

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have either:

  • Graduated from an Arizona high school in 2020 or 2021 and had your educational journey impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Enrolled in college during the spring or fall of 2020 or 2021 and took at least one semester off or failed courses during one of those semesters.

AND

  • Will be enrolled in an accredited community college or university in Arizona at least part-time in Fall 2023; and
  • Completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Federal Student Aid Estimator (for non-U.S. residents).

The deadline to apply is July 1, 2023. A committee will select the Arizona students who will receive the college scholarship. Students will be evaluated based upon their exceptional potential, commitment to continuing their education after high school, and impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on their college-going plans. For more information about the scholarship opportunity, visit: https://edforwardaz.org/Adelante2023

 

Education Forward Arizona

Education Forward Arizona was created to change the way people think about and support education as the key driver to improving the economy and quality of life in Arizona. The organization’s work includes providing scholarships and innovative programs to students and advocating for policies and funding that move the Achieve60AZ postsecondary attainment goal and other Arizona Education Progress Meter goals forward. Learn more at EducationForwardArizona.org.

Aliento

Aliento serves undocumented, DACA, and mixed immigration status families to transform trauma into hope and action. Aliento is youth-led, directly impacted people and allies who are co-creating and building a place where human potential is nurtured and not defined by immigration status. Aliento supports students and families affected by the inequities of lacking an immigration status through education initiatives, arts & healing programming, leadership development training, policy & advocacy.