Our Impact – Testimonials
My mom always says – ”If life gives you lemons make lemonade”- and I think my experience at ISH (Immigrant Scholarship Hustle) was just that “delicious lemonade”. At the start of my senior year at Mountain View High School and being Undocumented, I didn’t know what to do. What was my future? Do I even have one? If it wasn’t for my College Career Council Mrs. Lori Wray that came one afternoon with a printed copy of ScholarshipsA-Z’s flyer for the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle program I would have given up and thought of having no career as my future.
I remember signing up and writing an essay the day before it was due. I thought that I would never get in the program, but to my surprise I opened up my emails and saw a letter saying “ Welcome to ScholarshipsA-Z!” and I was like Ok so now what? I remember asking my uncle to drive me all the way to the Global Justice Center and when I got there that my face dropped when I was nobody there. Then two good humans came to the rescue, two young men that had the exact same dreams and hopes that I have, the dream of going to college and have a good future. And when I realize that I thought to myself, Can I do this? Is it ever ok to be out there with such Immigrant Status?
When I got to the program on a Saturday morning, I was sent to the library of the high school There I saw so many students like me, the students were in a small but cozy circle, looking hopeful to a hopeful future. A small exercise that we were forced and I mean forced because internally noone wanted to do was to describe our life and how it reflected us. I saw how many students described their lives and how it was so uncomfortable, and then I thought –hey I’m just like them- I’m just as awkward and wonderful as them. So then I thought this is the only place that I could ever me fully myself, this is my safe space and that became more true when I realized we all had a similar immigration status. Previous to this I have been conflicted with my life wishing to be someone else, like a “citizen”. But now I know, its ok to be who I am. I always thought that I had no real future but because of ScholarshipsA-Z now I know I can do forward to do much more than I thought.
Meeting so many people that are like me made me feel comfortable enough with myself to realize that my future is in my hands. And the reality is that it inspires me to create a new club at Mountain View that helps immigrants to get through the college process. If it wasn’t for ScholarshipsA-Z I wouldn’t be able to be who I am today.
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Since I arrived in this country, it has been a challenge. My family and I arrived in this country in 2014 with the hope of having a better life. I faced many challenges when I arrived to the United States. First of all, it was the language. When I started going to high school it was difficult but my desire to continue and be someone successful was greater. Since I was getting to know the system, I began to get frustrated knowing that an immigrant did not have the same possibilities as others. I felt great disappointment in my dreams of being able to study. I tried to fix my legal status through my father, but unfortunately, the lawyer we hired did not do his job well. After that, I fell into a big depression and I stopped going to school because I thought I had no chance. I just dedicated myself to work but that’s not the life I wanted. I felt like I was in a free prison but without opportunities, which was very frustrating for me. I actually wanted to go to school.
I remember one afternoon when I went to the University of Arizona to ask for information. I was very encouraged and hopeful that they would give me good news, but when I spoke to the secretary, she told me that it would be difficult for me to attend. She explained the cost of tuition would be very high due to my immigrant status. It was much more than I could afford to pay so I left that meeting feeling very disappointed. Even with this disappointment, I decided to return to Pima Community college and meet with my old adviser. I felt she listened to and understood me, that’s when she spoke to me about ScholarshipsA-Z. She told me about what they do and told me that I should contact them. I contacted them and Carolina was always very kind and she invited me to a meeting to get to know each other better and so that I could learn about their programs. I really did not have much encouragement at that point as I had already been disappointed. I went to the meeting without any expectations but I was wrong. My mind has felt calmer since that meeting. Being surrounded by people who are going through something similar to me but with the same goal of having a better future inspired me a lot. I became motivated again and I found a purpose in my life. They made me feel part of a community where I felt a lot of support and they helped me look for opportunities seeing my situation we found the best option for me. I am currently attending The Catholic University of America for a degree in business and administration. I am very motivated to continue my studies and it makes me very happy to be part of ScholarshipsA-Z.
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To be seen is to be loved. I first felt this during my senior year of high school when I didn’t understand what would happen to me & my future. Everyone around me felt so sure of theirs, or at least had an idea. They talked about going to college, starting their own businesses, families. When I had to think about it, this immense sensation of loneliness came over me again; everyday more intensely.
That same year I signed up for ISH unsure if it would actually help my situation. I remember my mom and I went to the orientation for the program and how after it we both started crying. It might have been a trivial thing to cry about but now reflecting back, it was an overwhelming feeling of hope coming over us. For so long I couldn’t fully express all the built up emotions that came with being undocumented. Nobody really knew this part of my life, until I became a part of ScholarshipsA-Z.
Throughout ISH I met other undocumented people who shared some of the same emotions as me. We shared a feeling of loneliness. This was one of the moments where I felt known and my existence was being acknowledged without judgment or shame. Where it wouldn’t be strange to cry because everyone else cried too. Being supported and loved for my mere existence by people who genuinely wanted to help me regardless of my immigration status changed my life in many ways. I was embraced by a community of people who were existing in the same ways I was. Where now I feel empowered to share my story, encouraged to navigate the world with confidence.
I was and continue to be supported both personally and professionally. I am still unsure of what my future will look like, but it makes life as an undocumented person a little less heavy to know that I am seen. As I continue to be a part of this community and ScholarshipsA-Z, I hope to be that person who saw and supported me, to others in my community.
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When asked about my proudest achievement, I always used to answer that it was graduating from college as an Undocumented student without DACA. Although that will always remain a big accomplishment, now, I would say that it is having the opportunity to help Undocumented youth navigate their life after high school through programming and continued support.
When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education. It was never a question of whether I would do it or not, it was a question of how. I remember walking into my counselor’s office my junior year asking for guidance on how I could apply for college as a student without DACA. I could tell she was confused. She didn’t understand how someone couldn’t qualify for DACA at that time. After constantly having to shut down the idea of talking to a lawyer, since I had already done so, she told me college was not a possibility and I would have to wait for the laws to change. I knew she was wrong, so I began to look for answers on my own. My constant google searches of “how can undocumented students go to college and pay for it” led me to the ScholarshipsA-Z scholarship list. Through this list, I was able to find scholarships I knew I could apply for and didn’t have to filter out any that required citizenship. Since I was paying out of state tuition, this resource ensured I could pay for my education which eventually led to my graduation from Arizona State University in 2020.
The first year and a half after graduating was tough. I felt as if I had lost my identity as an Undocumented student and didn’t know what else to do since finding job opportunities in my field seemed impossible without status. I applied for a couple of fellowships that accepted ITINs and that helped me develop confidence and start gaining new skills. However, after the fellowships ended a couple of weeks later, I felt I was back to square one of feeling stuck.
That was until late 2021 when a position for Program Manager opened up with ScholarshipsA-Z. A director from the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle in Phoenix sent me the opportunity as I had been a fellow for them in 2018. I applied, interviewed and got the position! I have had the opportunity to work with a powerful team of Undocumented youth that have helped me further develop my leadership skills while actively supporting other students who might currently be in the position I was in my junior year of high school. Everyday I see the resilience and perseverance of the SA-Z Village and it has taken me out of the feeling of being stuck and not knowing where to go. I now know that with community support, everything is possible. We care, advocate, and fight for one another. Without ScholarshipsA-Z, I don’t know what my journey would have looked like, and I know the work that people have done with this organization over the years has and will continue to positively impact Undocumented youth.
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My name is Maria Rivas and my ScholarshipsA-Z story started when I was in my Senior year of high school. I always knew that being undocumented would mean I would have a few disadvantage that others don’t. I never knew that there would be a major difference until my senior year. I remember I was in my third period, AVID class, the teacher told us that we were going to start applying for universities. I felt happy because I was looking forward to going to college. I started my application for the U of A, filled out the simple question Name, Date of Birth, Graduation etc. Then I came upon a question which made me overlook my direction a question about my citizenship. The question was “ Are you a citizen” I click “ No” another question drop “Are you DACA” I click “No” another question drop “ Are you one of these”, I was not one of the above. I started to feel like maybe I could not go to college. The next day I went to talk to my counselor and ask if maybe I can go and what are some options. In the end I left the office with a paper full of different universities that do accept people like me but not much help.
After the incident I met Danille Kamboljia, she told me to sign up for ISH which was the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle. She told me this program would help me apply to scholarships and even applying to college. I decided to sign up and do it. After going through the ISH program, I had a new perspective in what it meant to be undocumented. Before ISH I always felt ashamed of being undocumented, I felt like an outsider. After ISH I learn to be proud of who I am and cherish the story I have since no one else has the same story as I do. ScholarshipsA-Z is a family, a community the moment you walk through those doors you feel accepted and cherish the person you are. You learn that your status does not define you.
I support ScholarshipsA-Z because they help students like me realize they do have potential and they do matter in society. We are the voice who stand up against the injustice.
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I really never understood what it meant to be undocumented until the spring semester of my senior year at Palo Verde High School. I remember walking into our school’s cafeteria as we were invited to attend a FAFSA workshop. I approached one of the counselors and she handed me a flyer. I skimmed it and realized I wasn’t even eligible for FAFSA. In bold letters it read: Requirements. The second bullet point read: Social Security Number. All these requirements that I didn’t meet scared me because I didn’t know how I would get through college. To my right, I saw a peer smiling and heard them talk about how they had already received a full ride scholarship. To my left, there were other peers talking about how they had already submitted their FAFSA. I asked myself – What about me? I’m not eligible for FAFSA or any of these scholarships. What now? My heart was racing. Our school cafeteria, filled with so many students, and I felt alone. If I didn’t feel like I belonged here, would I belong in college? Would I be able to go? It was all so scary.
I was brave enough to talk to my counselor and assistant principal and told them that I didn’t have a social security number. They had hope. They told me not to worry about it and said they would do their best to help me find the resources I needed. The assistant principal gave me a phone number that belonged to another student who was part of ScholarshipsA-Z. Little did I know calling this number would change my life as I was introduced to ScholarshipsA-Z.
Again, I was scared. Scared because I didn’t know what my future would look like, and because I felt as I was the only undocumented student in Tucson. I remember attending the first meeting of Scholarships A-Z. All of a sudden, ScholarshipsA-Z helped me feel like I belonged. I found myself again in a room full of students. Unlike my school’s cafeteria, to my right and left were undocumented students talking about the same struggles. It was like family. ScholarshipsA-Z is a beautiful organization because they empowered me and provided me with so many resources that helped me believe in the possibility of being able to attend college. Seven years later I am blessed to be writing this story to share that with the support of ScholarshipsA-Z I graduated with a Masters degree from Arizona State University and I’m even more blessed to be a school social worker. Without ScholarshipsA-Z I wouldn’t have made it this far.
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I spent 15 years being ashamed about being an immigrant. I grew up in a small, consevative, quiet town where I didn’t know of any other undocumented families besides my own. I grew up with a fear that someone would find out the true immigtaion status of my family and the worst would happen to us. I was taught to never talk about it and in turn I would lie about parts of my life. Unlike other 16 year olds I couldn’t get a drivers license, and my family could never travel overseas to see my grandparents or cousins due to our immigration status, but I could never tell the truth about why. Living in a small town where everyone knew each other I was ashamed and scared about being an immigrant.
At my high school, going to university was the normal next step after graduating and my parents were determined to get me through college in hopes it would change my life. I went into university with the same mindset I’d always had, to keep my head down, study hard, and never speak of my immigration status. My first year I did exactly that and I tried my hardest to blend into the student population that I very much didn’t relate to or have the same rights as. My sophomore year I received an email from a man who was looking to create a dedicated resource center for immigrant students on campus, specifically those who had DACA or were undocumented, and the concept of that alone estounded me that I had to email him back. For the first time in my life I was introduced to a community who had similar experiences, backgrounds, and most importantly fears as me. I was seeing brave undocumented folx and DACA recipients speaking out at public rallies and meetings completely fearless and surrounded by a supportive community and I finally felt like I wasn’t hiding anymore.
ScholarshipsA-Z and the communities it had built gave me space to be my truest self and completely own it. I found a voice so I could fight for myself and my community and it was possible because SA-Z would be there to take care of me. I believe I really found my voice and lost the fear of my immigrant identity when ScholarshipsA-Z let me be a facilitator at their annual educators conference in 2017. ScholarshipsA-Z asked nothing more of me than to just be myself and they gave me the platform to do so. My role was to stand up in front of a room of educators and share my story and the challenges I faced as an immigrant student, and suddenly I saw educators react and respond and wanting to help, and instantly instead of having fear of people finding out about my immigration status, I started to embrace it and find ways to advocate about it.
I was a first generation student that felt different from my peers because I had DACA but being introduced to this community meant I found friends and colleagues who knew what it felt like when I said I was scared or tired of not being heard but I could also laugh and joke with and feel like a normal college student.
I always said ScholarshipsA-Z was my family and helped Tucson feel like my home away from home. Three years with them and they helped me graduate from the University of Arizona as a proud and resilient DACA recipient.
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In 2016, I was working out of a small office, later repurposed into a storage room for files and other supplies. The non-profit I worked for as an AmeriCorps member had a blind spot in their services. While I was reviewing applications to familiarize myself with reasons students would qualify for the program, I began to notice a pattern. “Immigration issues” was a recurring response. At the time, I did not understand the impact and severity of this issue would continue to have on students I work with then and in the future. I hold an unseen privilege of being a US citizen. Since I was unfamiliar with what “Immigration issues” meant for students in this program, I began to ask questions.
Some co-workers were unsure or unaware of their student’s citizenship status. I remember asking if there was a guide of which community resources required Social Security Numbers. My mind was reeling with unanswered questions. So I started to search for answers. I came across the ScholarshipsA-Z website that was full of information on local and national resources. One resource that ScholarshipsA-Z offers is an Educators conference. The conference was the perfect opportunity for me to receive answers in person and build connection between my students and ScholarshipsA-Z. I was ignited after attending my first Educators conference. I gained insight into student’s lives who are personally impacted by immigration issues, a myriad of community resources, and action planning support. I later joined the ScholarshipsA-Z Educators Committee. The committee provided the opportunity to stay up-to-date on quickly changing policies and legislations. I joined a network of fellow educators dedicated to ensuring all students have continued access to learning.
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As a daughter of immigrants and an educator, it was an easy decision for me to become involved with ScholarshipsA-Z. When I moved to Tucson in 2015, I looked for organizations who were making a difference in the community. I found out about ScholarshipsA-Z and immediately knew I wanted to support this organization. I began by donating money to ScholarshipsA-Z but it quickly turned into wanting to invest time and energy. The first time I volunteered, I was a reviewer for the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle (ISH). I was able to use my skills to assist students in creating personal statements and in looking for scholarships.
As I reflect as to why I continue to invest time, money, and energy into ScholarshipsA-Z I want to share my three main reasons as to why I continue to believe this work is important. One, we live in a state that has historically dehumanized immigrants. As someone who is born and raised in Arizona, I am constantly disappointed and angered and decided that I should get involved to support those doing the work of supporting the immigrant community. I wanted to be a part of advocating for change specifically in a state that has been violent towards immigrants. Two, as an educator, I believe that higher education needs to be accessible to all. I believe that everyone should be able to receive a higher education and be able to receive financial support. ScholarshipsA-Z specifically does this work to try and make higher education more accessible while also working to advocate and uplift the voices of the immigrant community. Third, my parents are both immigrants and my husband is an immigrant. I have personally seen the effects that state and federal policies have had and because of this, I strongly believe in ScholarshipsA-Z. I will continue to use my voice and my privileges to do this work because I believe that everyone has a right to attend an institution of higher education, regardless of their immigration status.
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Being a part of such a diverse, beautiful, and strong culture as a Mexican immigrant I have always held this part of me with pride. As I grew older, I was unaware of all the limitations I would face in the real world. I felt as if the colorful bubble of my heritage that made me unique was being popped by society. I understood as I finished high school that there was a lingering sense of inequality and only a few opportunities given to me and my community. I lived a life in silence having to be careful with what I can say or do… a life with limitations. A light of hope returned to me, when I discovered organizations with experienced leaders that advocated for my voice and dreams, which was ScholarshipsA-Z.
I did not know where to start after my high school graduation and the summer that followed it. I spent many days feeling misunderstood, and never had any accurate responses to my questions being an undocumented student with the desire of attending the University of Arizona. For a moment I believed that I was not allowed to go to college and pursue my dreams due to my status. I heard from one person that it was going to be expensive being charged as an “international” student when I have lived in Arizona my entire life. I felt like there weren’t any professionals that were in the same situation as me or other students to connect with. Once I applied to the U of A, I decided to seek resources for myself. The first target for me was to be in communication with the Immigrant resource center on campus. From there, a moment of joy arose when I was made aware of Scholarships A-Z. The online zoom program that they would be doing for students in my situation, began that fall of my freshman year in 2021. Through the program ISH (Immigrant Student Hustle), I would receive weekly zoom meetings with the proper resources, guidance, and community support to guide my hand as I walked through the intimidating process of college and adulthood. I knew that I was not going to let myself be held back from going to college, until I heard from an experienced professional that understands what being an immigrant is and can give me the correct guidance. I no longer felt alone and misunderstood in the path that I was walking on. I felt inspired with the daily workshops of self-advocacy, education on proper immigration facts, along with the stories of all the leaders and students that inspired me.
The ISH program set me up for success, by giving me the proper resources and skills that will allow me to thrive when I was no longer in the program and be an advocate for myself. Beyond the ISH program, I also made important connections with the leaders, who after two years still remain in contact with me sending monthly emails on scholarship and fellowship opportunities that have allowed me to find more organizations such as theirs. ScholarshipsA-Z has given me the confidence to stand for my dreams with the proper resources and community support. A quote that resonates with me during my ISH experience states: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around” by Leo Buscaglia. The leaders and student advocates in the ISH program became the light that I needed in the darkness.
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It was a Spring Friday morning, the perfect temperature for a light sweater and some morning coffee. I skipped school that day and I was thrilled. This day wasn’t a normal day, it was the day I was giving the opening address at an educators conference. I was nervous and scared and happy and excited. I was speaking to 50+ educators about a topic I care about a lot for the first time: equitable support and guidance for undocumented high school students, especially those about to graduate. The time quickly approached to speak, and after some exercises outside to get the jitters out, I stepped in front of the podium and grabbed the microphone. I shared about things I had seen in the school district I attended and grew up in, and I asked administrators to be better equipped to have conversations with their undocumented students regarding post graduation plans, an ask that is never easy or ending.
As I finished my speech, I remember quick movements, almost overwhelming and hectic, as the room began to break out into their sessions. I was relieved and satisfied. I remember hugs and “good job”s from my colleagues, even from the administrators and counselors from my high school who were in attendance. It was thanks to ScholarshipsA-Z that I had the opportunity to share my experience with educators from across the state and emphasize the importance of being capable and knowledgeable to serve all students in a school, regardless of immigration status. It proved fruitful as the following school year my high school had hired a counselor to work especially with immigrant students, quickly snowballing into something bigger and sustainable with a steady and empowered student group.
I have learned so much with and from this organization. With ScholarshipsA-Z, I learn to be brave and proud and unapologetic. I learn how to advocate not only for myself, but for the rest of my community, something that continues to shape me day by day and influences what I want to be and do as a professional in the near future. ScholarshipsA-Z continues to push me, educate me, nurture me; something you can’t find in any and every community organization. ScholarshipsA-Z has become my best tool, support and motivation.
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I’ve always dreamed of being a lawyer. At five years old, I would practice my defense in front of the mirror and imagine myself in a courtroom. When my parents brought me to Arizona at the age of eight, I clung onto that dream. However, it wasn’t until I turned 17 and started exploring college options that the reality of being undocumented hit me. The implications became clear: my dream of becoming a lawyer might never be realized.
Instead of going straight to a four-year college after high school, I took a different path. I worked tirelessly for three years, saving every penny I could, until I finally had enough funds to enroll at Pima Community College. Even then, the cost of continuing my education seemed impossible. That’s when I discovered ScholarshipsA-Z—a game-changer for me. I became a student support fellow within the organization and found not only a supportive community but also personal and professional growth opportunities.
Before joining ScholarshipsA-Z, I felt completely isolated in my journey as an undocumented student. Whenever I sought resources, educators and counselors turned me away, making me believe that pursuing higher education was impossible. However, ScholarshipsA-Z changed my perspective entirely. It provided me with the tools I needed to continue my education and develop into a leader within my community.
Inspired by ScholarshipsAZ’s daily work, I joined forces with Alondra to establish a club at my community college. Our aim is to help other undocumented students navigate the challenges of higher education in Arizona. I’ve come to realize that advocating for myself also means advocating for others in similar situations. Previously, I was afraid to voice my concerns or opinions, fearing the consequences of revealing my undocumented status. However, ScholarshipsA-Z empowered me to recognize the value of my voice and the importance of standing up for myself and others. I no longer shrink into the background but take up the space I deserve.
In the one year I’ve been with ScholarshipsA-Z, I’ve experienced more growth and learning than during the three years I spent feeling alone. I am no longer afraid to advocate for myself, and this newfound freedom has allowed me to evolve into the woman I aspire to be.
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Senior year of high school was a year full of decisions. It wasn’t till College and Career day when I really started to think about the options, I had to continue my education. Towards the end of the semester the senior class had a whole period to fill out FAFSA. I couldn’t fill out a FAFSA, it was then when I started to feel left out and ashamed during that class period I just looked up career options and told my friends I had already filled mine out. I then made an appointment with my counselor because I saw that in the senior checklist it was a requirement to fill out FAFSA in order to graduate. My immigration status wasn’t something that I discussed with anyone else but my family, some of my closest friends didn’t know. I had to reveal my status in order to get the help I needed. My counselor then informed me that she would check that of my senior checklist and referred me to Zobella who worked at the school and was part of the organization ScholarshipsA-Z.
Zobella informed me that the best option for me was to attend two years at a community college and two years at a university. Which I thought was a good plan, she gave me the website of ScholarshipsA-Z which contained many scholarships for all students regardless of their statues. Not only did Zobella give me a resource meant for me, she also made sure we met up later on that week to go over it. We met after school at the college and career room, we started working to create an excel sheet with all the scholarships I was going to apply to. Meeting up and creating that spread sheet helped me start feeling hopeful for the future. Later on that month She helped me apply to universities and colleges, as first-generation student this was all very new to me and confusing. Having someone to walk me through that process created a sense of assurance. I then graduated from Flowing Wells high school and started attending Pima Community College fall of 2017.
In the spring of 2018 there was a change in policy where DACA students were no longer eligible for instate tuition. I felt like I was in the same spot I was senior year, clueless of what the future of my education would be. Through ScholarshipsA-Z I was able to find people that were going through the same situation as me. I was also able to find allies and mentors that I could trust. Being able to see the resilience in my community gives me hope to know that we are able to defeat the systems that isn’t built for us. Fall of 2019 I started attending Grand Canyon University a goal I thought was impossible to reach.
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There have been many ways in which ScholarshipsA-Z has changed my life since the summer of 2010, back when my ScholarshipsA-Z story began. One particular moment that comes to mind, is in July of 2012, following the announcement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. It was a hot summer day and close to 200 people were packed into the gym of Pueblo High School in hopes of hearing a new revelation about the DACA program and the opportunity to ask questions of legal experts and community leaders.
We as a ScholarshipsA-Z team felt the same anxiety, had similar questions and understood that this town hall would be a good opportunity to learn and ask questions. Once the event got underway, our team who was all sitting together, quickly realized that the speakers were speaking in generalities and were not taking questions from our section of the bleachers. Our group, mostly made up of young people of color, was being ignored. I still remember the feeling of invisibility and hopelessness that comes when you realize you are intentionally being ignored.
For a moment I wondered why they may not be calling on us, but I already knew the answer. Young people of color are not who adults in positions of power generally care to hear from. In that moment I remembered the many conversations during team trainings and leadership retreats in which we learned about power structures and learned about ways we can use our power to uplift the voices of our community. I got up and quietly moved to a different section of the bleachers away from my teammates, and within a few moments, when I raised my hand, I was called on. I stood, still in disbelief since my teammates have been waiting this whole time to be called on and nothing. Not sure where I found the words “Thank you, but my colleagues on that side of the audience have been waiting to be called on, the question is theirs”. All the heads in the bleachers turned to the right to see who I was pointing to, and although I cannot remember the question asked, I will never forget the moment. This was a defining moment for me as a member of ScholarshipsA-Z, as a white passing immigrant, and educator. The learning and growth I have received as an educator by being a part of this organization forces me to on a daily basis think about the privileges and platforms my skin tone and education have afforded me and how I leverage this towards the service of our immigrant community.
Being a part of ScholarshipsA-Z has meant continuing be uncomfortable, unlearn, and question how our world operates especially as it relates to education in Arizona. It has meant pushing myself and others to listen first and ask how we can learn from those most impacted, and trust in their leadership.
-Carolina Rodriguez Greer
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I knew I was undocumented since I was in elementary school, but I did not know what that meant for my future. Throughout high school, I was always told I could get my university tuition completely covered due to my outstanding grades. I went from freshman year to the beginning of senior year believing that once I graduated, I was going to attend Northern Arizona University with a full ride.
I never shared my status with anyone since my parents would always tell me that information was meant to be kept a secret, up until one prominent day. Senior year, I met with a counselor, Karla Garcia whom I appreciate dearly, to talk about my plans after graduation. I had overheard that undocumented students could not receive the Lumberjack scholarship for NAU, so I went to her for clarification. She was always very kind to me and in that moment, I knew I could trust her with my unfortunate secret. I was given shocking news about what I thought I knew regarding my future in higher education. I couldn’t apply for FAFSA, I couldn’t receive the Lumberjack scholarship, I couldn’t apply for any public scholarships, I couldn’t, I couldn’t, I couldn’t. All this negative information was being thrown at me all at once. It was such a terrifying moment, but she made me feel just as valued as everyone else. I was extremely grateful to have her in my path for she had the answers I needed. She introduced me to the organization ScholarshipsA-Z.
At the start of 2018, I was accepted into ScholarshipsA-Z’s Immigrant Scholarship Hustle program, which truly changed my life. I received a tremendous amount of resources that I needed to go to college and it was up to me to put everything I learned to use. Suddenly, it was not a huge burden on me that I couldn’t apply for FAFSA or that in state tuition was taken away because ScholarshipsA-Z was there to support me.
Over the course of the following year, I applied to over thirty scholarships and received up to $60,000 in awards. I was able to receive my associates degree from Pima Community College within a year after graduating high school. I then transferred to the University of Arizona where I am currently pursuing my bachelors degree in Film and Television with a graduation date of May 2021. This never would have been possible without the motivation and assistance of ScholarshipsA-Z, which up to this day, I have not found anywhere else.
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In March 2012, I was a senior at Tucson High Magnet School. It was at this time that I started to figure out which college I was going to attend and how I was going to pay for it. Throughout my life, I always thought that I was going to be able to attend the University of Arizona right after high school. Throughout high school, teachers and counselors would always say that if you get good grades, take honors classes, play sports, and volunteer you will obtain a full ride scholarship to the University of Arizona. What they assumed was that every student was a permanent resident or U.S. citizen. I couldn’t obtain this full ride scholarship because of my undocumented status.
When I found out that I wasn’t going to be able to attend the University of Arizona or any college, I was crushed. I thought that all my hard work, earning good grades, taking honors classes, playing soccer, and volunteering as a math tutor was all for nothing. I felt sad, nervous, and like I had been lied to. When my appointed counselor couldn’t help me, I told other counselors, Karla and Aaron, about my immigration status. I asked them if there was a way in which I could attend college. They personally didn’t know how but they knew about ScholarshipsA-Z. They set up a meeting with me, my dad and Matt. Matt was the Executive Director of ScholarshipsA-Z at that time and at that meeting at Tucson High’s library, he assured me and my dad that I will be able to attend college. My dad and I were very relieved after that meeting and that’s when I thought that all my hard work would pay off. Matt invited me to attend the weekly ScholarshipsA-Z meetings to figure out how I was going to be able to attend Pima Community College.
ScholarshipsA-Z helped me find, apply and win scholarships for me to be able to pay for my Pima Community College tuition. In February 2013, ScholarshipsA-Z won in-state tuition for DACA recipients at Pima Community College. I attended Pima Community College for three years and obtained an Associate of General Studies in Electrical and Computer Engineering. In May 2015, ScholarshipsA-Z won in-state tuition for DACA recipients at the Three State Universities. Thanks to this, I was able to attend The University of Arizona in August 2015 and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering in May 2017. I started graduate school in August 2017 and graduated with my Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering in May 2019. For me, ScholarshipsA-Z made attaining a higher education possible, regardless of my immigration status.
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September 5th, 2017 was a 102°f Sonoran desert summer day. The heat only made it more jarring how cold a person could be when announcing that he would be ending a way of living for millions. “…the program known as DACA… is being rescinded,” read Jeff Sessions with a frosty smirk.
In anticipation of the announcement, a group of Undocumented and DACA recipient students from the University of Arizona and Pima Community College, all members of ScholarshipsA-Z, gathered at UA’s Immigrant Student Resource Center. The room was hectic with everyone’s silent thoughts and concerns. Reactions became split while leaving the morning, some soon grew impatient and spilled over into the next room to begin the preparations for the March and press conference to come while others continued to brace for the impact of the termination of a program on which they rely. In that space, I learned the precedent that existed for the organizing work done by the undocumented community and how DACA had changed that. DACA made it safer for people to be open about their immigration status. There was more of an understanding of who we are as a community. We were no longer being presented as outsiders by mass media, rather we were being called by our full names. Our stories could be shared without the threat of it risking our safety or future employment. I still benefited from that narrative and the visibility, as someone who did not receive DACA. I was made aware of the strikes, fasts, and campaigns DACA required to be passed. Jeff Sessions rescinding DACA was an attack with the added intention of slandering our humanity and erasure of the decades of mobilization from our community. It erased the hard-won battles to increase access to schools and driver’s licenses for DACA recipients.
Ready to release the route of the march to end with a rally at city hall there was a last-moment ask to have speakers represent ScholarshipsA-Z at the final portion. I was asked to speak, I became dizzy with ideas. There was so much suffering and so much relief that came with DACA. Minutes before the start of the march my pen was still frantically writing and crossing out what marks it just made.
The moment I was handed the microphone I was simultaneously handed fear and feelings of inadequacy. The speakers before have been the ones who paved the roads on which I walk. To me, monoliths of victories and struggles. Icons who have been doing what I’m about to be introduced to since before I was born.
I trembled and mumbled away from the microphone, I was calmed by the cheers from my community, the ScholarshipsA-Z family, and the encouragement from allies. The crowd listened tenderly and held me in the embrace of their chants. I was shown the power of my voice and the importance of my experiences.
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During my Junior year of high school in 2018, was when I really understood what being undocumented in the United States meant. It was the first time that I truly comprehended that my status would close a number of doors for me. It happened when I was denied the opportunity to participate in the JEG Health Career Internship Program for Latino Students at the University of Arizona. The program was highly competitive, and to be accepted you had to go through a tedious application process and various interviews with different researchers and doctors. I was excited to have been accepted into the program, however, my excitement was quickly muted as I was told that I would not be able to participate due to my not having a social security number. Since the internship was paid, they could not have me working there without a legal work permit.
I soon realized that this impediment was going to be the least of my worries. Fast forward a few months, and I am now a Senior in high school during the notorious ‘FAFSA season’. I was constantly receiving emails and letters from my guidance counselors and school administrators, reminding me to not “forget to sign up for FAFSA”. As is the case for every undocumented immigrant in this country, I am not allowed to apply for any form of federal student aid, so FAFSA was never an option for me. This left me with many questions regarding my future after graduation. “Can I even apply to universities, or do I need a social security number for that too?” “In the case that I do get accepted, how will I pay for it?” It got to the point where I considered moving back to Mexico in order to attain a higher education.
Luckily I created a connection with one of the guidance counselors at my school. She was not the counselor appointed to me, however, she was the one that was most willing to help me. That person was Danielle Khambholja. After sitting in Ms.Danielle’s office for hours upon hours, and talking about my status, my feelings, and my goals, she recommended that I apply for the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle Program, led by Scholarships A-Z. In this program, I was provided with the resources that I needed and more. During their workshops, I composed writing prompts and resumes, that have aided me in applying for scholarships and universities. I have now been accepted to the University of Arizona and hope to study Molecular and Cellular Biology there. Through Scholarships A-Z I will continue to apply to all the scholarships that I possibly can, in hopes to find a way to pay for school.
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For the past 19 years, I have been working with immigrants from all walks of life. Throughout that time, I have also worked or been associated with numerous human rights organizations. A non-profit organization is often created to fill a void in our society. For a few years, I sat on the board of the Border Action Network and witnessed, firsthand, how a grassroots organization can function successfully and how they can struggle. One huge void that existed was a safe space and source of trustworthy information for undocumented youth in Southern Arizona. When I was introduced to ScholarshipsA-Z my reaction was “finally!!”
I recall when Matt Matera first asked me to do a presentation at the University for the students. I was humbled that the ScholarshipsA-Z gang would invite me into their space and let me provide them with vital information about the immigration system. I knew how much misinformation existed in the public domain and how easily a person’s life could be altered by a single decision. “Knowledge is power” may be cliché, but when it comes to immigration it is the key to opening the door to the system. From an intrinsic perspective, it was especially rewarding to help unlock those giant doors.
Walking into the classroom, I distinctly recall that the room was packed with students eager to learn about how the immigration process “works”. I had prepared a presentation with a panorama of the current immigrant visa system. How most immigrants must wait more than a decade to immigrate while enduring exceptional hardships including family separation. The students were very much engaged about this subject matter. Much of it hit close to home for them. During this presentation, I discussed the three and ten-year re-entry bars and how it is nearly impossible to immigrate “legally” while in the U.S. I also provided some basic tips about the rights an immigrant has when being questioned by law enforcement.
At the end of the session, several of the students came up to me with questions about their own personal issues and to express gratitude for this invaluable information. Afterwards, Matt and I knew that we would need to continue with these types of informational events, and we have done so successfully for several years. Whether we get 3 students or 30 students we know we are making a positive change in that students’ life. Knowing that these students will take this information home and share it with their families and friends makes it additionally fulfilling for me.
I have long felt that it is a sad statement about our society that we still need to depend on an organization like ScholarshipsA-Z, but that is the reality. There will always be some sort of need for immigration-based assistance. The legal community is there to help solve the problems that many individuals face. ScholarshipsA-Z has offered a pipeline to legal help for immigrant youth and their families. I intend to remain in solidarity with this organization, as long as it exists, and requires my support. There is no better grass roots organization in our community.
next“Hi, my name is Matt Matera, and I am a part of a non-profit organization that fights with and for undocumented students and families.” 15-year-old me had no idea that these words and this teacher would change my life years later. It was April 24, 2013. I was a junior in high school and had just arrived back to school after one of my tennis matches. I called my mom and asked her to pick me up. It was 10pm. My mom grunted at the phone, reminded me of how late it was, but ultimately agreed to go get me. Half an hour or so passed by and she still hadn’t arrived. It was then that I saw my brother rush into the school’s parking lot. Even through the tinted windows, I could see fear spread across his face. I was confused, but I didn’t want to ask any questions because I feared that if I asked him what was going on, he’d tell me that my biggest nightmare had just begun.
It was then that I saw my mother’s car on the side of the road surrounded by 2 border patrol cars. She was sitting in the back of one of the border patrol cars, cuffs on, tears rolling. In her most calming, brave voice, she urged us not to worry, and that things would be okay.
That night, my mind was blank. I didn’t know what to do or who to call. My mother had warned us about this exact event and had basically trained us on how to react in case it ever happened. The thing was, my brother and I never expected to one day receive that dreaded phone call with my mom on the other end of the line telling us that she wouldn’t make it home that night, that she had just gotten pulled over and that she didn’t know when we would hear from her again. “Cuídense. Los quiero mucho,” were her final words that night.
It was in that moment of dread that I remembered that one teacher from my freshman year of high school who said he fought with and for undocumented students and families – Matt Matera. I sent him a message and let him know what was going on. ScholarshipsA-Z stepped right into action, and in a matter of a hours, ScholarshipsA-Z began a campaign to demand my mother’s release. Outside of Matt, I had never met any of the organizers, and yet they fought fiercely alongside my family, refusing to let my mother remain in detention.
4 days later, my mother was released. Without ScholarshipsA-Z and the teacher who decided to say that he supported undocumented students and families on the first day of class, my family might have never been able to be together again. To this day the work of ScholarshipsA-Z continues, and many families, including my own, continue to be together because of them.
nextScholarshipsA-Z has been an integral stepping stone in enabling me to finish my education. It has been a resource and a support system for undocumented students, two things that the education system lacked thereof. I got to know ScholarshipsA-Z through a childhood friend I had recently ran into. Before really knowing the organization, I felt alone as I did not know anyone that was undocumented trying to go to college. I did not have much hope to finance my way through college and therefore did not think I stood a chance for me to finish my undergrad education. While I was attending my community college I was frustrated and ready to give up on my education as I started to lose hope.
I attended a ScholarshipsA-Z meeting at Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus. I walked into the meeting extremely worried and I did not know what to really expect. Instead I walked into an extremely welcoming space full of hope, everyone came from different backgrounds but we all had a common goal. We all wanted to continue our education. Everyone had different roles within the organization and all of the leaders were students. Not only did they hold a welcoming space but they were also thinking about the bigger picture and how could we as students make changes in our education system as well in our political system. I really liked that not only were we thinking about ourselves and how we could improve but we were thinking about our community and what we could do to help and how we could fight the system to make a change.
I became more involved in the graphics of ScholarshipsA-Z from 2014 to 2016. As I wanted to be a part of the movement in order to give back to my community. In 2016, I had the opportunity to move to another state in order to continue my education but I could not have done it without the support of ScholarshipsA-Z. I will be forever grateful for the support of ScholarshipsA-Z as they gave me my voice, helped me come out of the shadows and learn that I can make a difference.
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In 2012, I was a senior at Tucson High Magnet School. Senior year came around with the question “What will I do after graduation?”. My twin brother, Danilo, and I decided we wanted to go to college. We quickly began to look for resources anywhere we could. We started attending college nights, learning about FAFSA, Arizona Assurance and many other resources. We quickly realized that we would have to try to find “other” resources. “Other” resources, perhaps some that were meant for us. We didn’t know where to look and needed guidance.
We decided to schedule a meeting with our college counselor. She was so excited to meet with us and to talk about the possibilities of college. We sat down in her office, as she started to talk to us about FAFSA and such. Danilo and I looked at each other as she talked, and we knew what had to happen next. As I looked away, Danilo gathered the courage to tell our counselor “Hey, we don’t have this social security number, how do we get these scholarships?”. Her excitement was gone, and instead she held a look of worry and despair. She then said “oh, then these resources aren’t for you. I’m not sure how I can help.”. An answer Danilo and I had already figured out but hoped to hear otherwise. Such a short meeting, it was.
I was beginning to understand the overwhelming challenge at hand. I quickly understood that in Arizona, undocumented students are not meant to go to college. I was not meant to go to college. I asked myself again “What will I do after graduation?”. Only this time, I assumed college couldn’t be the answer.
A month later, Danilo and I ended up at a ScholarshipsA-Z meeting. In this meeting, we were given a list of scholarships opened to undocumented students. Here, for the first time, was a resource meant for us. Here was what we hoped to hear from our counselor. Here was my, recent, assumption challenged. Danilo and I took it home and applied to every scholarship we could. In Fall 2012, we began our college journey at Pima Community College. 8 years later we will both have completed that journey.
nextOn one sunny afternoon, I sat in front of my computer, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since my family is low-income, I was confident that I would receive the Pell Grant to help pay my college tuition. I then came across a question I was unsure of how to answer: “Are you an eligible noncitizen?” I came to the United States as a toddler and grew up here, so I assumed that I have some sort of legal status. I asked my mom for my exact immigration status.
“Your immigration case is still pending,” my mom explained. “So you currently do not have any of the immigration statuses listed under ‘eligible noncitizens.’”
“Really?” I asked. I was very surprised. “I spent nearly my whole life in the U.S., and my case is still pending?”
“The immigration system is very slow,” she replied. “You are basically undocumented right now.”
At that moment, my American dream was shattered. I worked hard in school, thinking that I would be eligible for numerous opportunities if I got good grades. I saw older classmates go to college, study abroad, and get paid internships. I wanted to do the same. I now realized that because of my immigration status, I can not pursue those opportunities. Paid internships and jobs require an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which I do not have. Many scholarships require students to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Federally funded programs, like the Pell Grant or Fulbright Scholarship, require applicants to be U.S. citizens. I also can not study abroad, because I can not return to the U.S. if I leave. The doors of opportunities slammed in my face.
Finding out my immigration status was upsetting, but I was still determined to go to college. I connected with my school’s Immigrant Student Resource Center. They suggested that I contact ScholarshipsA-Z. When I looked through ScholarshipA-Z’s Instagram page, I felt a sense of hope. ScholarshipsA-Z supports undocumented students with scholarships, applying to college, and pathways to employment. If other undocumented students are thriving, then I can too.
I then joined ScholarshipsA-Z’s Immigrant Scholarship Hustle (ISH). The team put together wonderful workshops, including writing scholarship essays, immigration policy, and starting a business. They even brought in reviewers to provide one-on-one support with our essays. ScholarshipsA-Z gave me the support I need.
In addition to providing resources and information, ScholarshipsA-Z gave me community. After ISH was over, the team put together the Undocumented Youth Empowerment Initiative (UYEI). There, they hosted UndocuJoy spaces and self care workshops, empowering us to feel proud as immigrants. Slowly, I stopped feeling ashamed of my immigration status.
Thanks to ScholarshipsA-Z, I won scholarships and can afford college. I reflect on the hopelessness I felt due to my immigration status and hope that I can help other immigrants. This is why I want to become a lawyer to advocate for immigrant rights. Immigration policies greatly influence the type of life people have. With the passage of Proposition 308 in November 2022, undocumented Arizona students can now pay in-state tuition. We still have a long way to go to reform immigration policy. For example, children who spent their whole lives in the U.S. on dependent visas (like J-2, F-2, or H-4) suddenly age out at 21. They are not eligible for DACA and could be deported. I hope to work on these types of immigration issues and make life better for other immigrants. I want to use my education to pay it forward and help others.
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Doing well in school was always expected of me by my parents. In high school, although I did well in classes I made no effort to look at my college opportunities or apply to universities. In my mind going to college was not an option because of my undocumented status. I didn’t know what my options were, I was confused and didn’t know who to ask for help. I felt alone and hopeless.
During my senior year of high school before graduating, I decided to meet with my counselor and tell her about my immigration status. After I told her I was not a citizen and was undocumented she was speechless. She struggled to give me any sort of response and was only able to guide me to a website, an organization she had heard of- ScholarshipsA-Z. It took me a while to reach out to ScholarshipsA-Z. My mom pushed me to figure out what my resources were. She didn’t want me to feel hopeless about my future or mope around the house that summer.
It was the summer of 2012, after graduating from high school, when I attended the first ScholarshipsA-Z meeting. After emailing the organization, I was invited to attend their meeting. My mom drove me there that Friday, I didn’t want to go alone and had no idea what to expect. The room was filled with other undocumented youth. I was instantly welcomed. It was clear it was my first time there and I got the help I needed without having to explain my situation. I found out I could register for community college, and so I did. I went to the next meeting and was part of a know your rights session, and learned about my scholarship options.
The summer of 2012 was when I discovered ScholarshipsA-Z, but a lot more happened. A couple of weeks passed, DACA was announced and a couple of days later my mother was stopped at a stop light. She called me when it happened, she told me she would be detained and taken by border patrol, and to tell my dad. I was supposed to be registering for my new classes that week, but again everything seemed hopeless. I knew there were people at ScholarshipsA-Z I could reach out to and ask for help. ScholarshipsA-Z had the resources to help me register for community college, they had the information I needed to learn about my rights. They helped me connect with immigration lawyers to help get my mom out of detention. Above all, they gave me hope.
The ScholarshipsA-Z meetings were inspiring in so many ways. It was a room filled with immigrants trying to make a change, and I felt seen. The fierceness of the women that led these meetings inspired me to get involved. Being part of ScholarshipsA-Z as a youth gave me a lot of skills that have helped me be where I am now. It gave me hope and fire to give back to my community and follow what I am passionate about.
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None of us can do it alone–help our students find their path through higher education; help them and their families navigate the obstacles they face in society due to their immigration status; effect the change we want to see in our society. As a school counselor, my job is to advocate for all students in collaboration with the people in each student’s life to help them reach their academic, personal/social, and career goals, bringing in outside resources when necessary. ScholarshipsA-Z is the most trusted and important partner I have in helping students who face challenges due to their immigration status.
I saw ScholarshipsA-Z’s full-scale impact for the first time when I met a pair of high achieving brothers who needed guidance in accessing higher education. These brothers were like number 7 and 9 in the class of over 500 seniors, and had done everything necessary to get into college and earn scholarships. Their undocumented status was making their goal seem impossible, so they and their parents talked to anyone and everyone about their college planning struggles. A colleague and I met with them and referred them to ScholarshipsA-Z. For some reason, they resisted this idea, at first, but I continued to receive phone calls, e-mails and visits from teachers, attendance clerks, and their school counselor about these brothers and their concerns. Finally, a meeting was set up with one of the brothers and Matt Matera from ScholarshipsA-Z. This meeting finally brought the brothers, their parents and Scholarships A-Z together, and helped us form a team of people who could help our students facing challenges due to immigration status. During the meeting, Matt explained the legal situation, brought a list of colleges and universities that are open to admitting and financially assisting students who are undocumented, and helped us make a preliminary postsecondary plan for the brothers. Matt also invited them to attend Scholarships A-Z meetings at Pima Community College. All of us followed-up with the brothers and their parents throughout the school year, sometimes together, sometimes separately. The brothers adjusted their lives to become involved with ScholarshipsA-Z, and have been integral to its operations and growth over the years.
The brothers were admitted to several colleges and universities across the country, offered various scholarships and awards, and recognized for their accomplishments at our Evening of Honors and graduation. In the end, the brothers chose Pima Community College to continue their education and work toward their goals, have accomplished many of them, and continue to work toward new ones.
The brothers’ experience became the model for future students at our school who find themselves facing similar challenges. My team has changed over the years. Colleagues at my school and within ScholarshipsA-Z have moved on to other opportunities and goals, but my relationship with the organization remains the key ingredient to helping my students who face challenges due to immigration status reach their goals.
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It was 2005. I was a sophomore at Brophy College Preparatory, an elite, white, all-boys, Jesuit, high school in Phoenix, Arizona. The school was hosting a conference on immigration, and after listening to an immigration attorney speak about helping young immigrants gain legal status. I went up to her. I was giddy with excitement that I could get help. When I told her that I was undocumented, her face lit up and she quickly grabbed her legal pad and started to assess my case. After a slew of questions, her facial expression glazed.
“I am sorry to say this, mijo, but you will never be a US citizen.”
Her words hit me like a wall, and before I could seek comfort, she walked away. I didn’t react then. I was in public. I held it in, and when I came home. I went straight to the shower, turned the water on to full blast and I cried my eyes out. My spirit was shattered. I felt like I did not belong and would never belong. It was the darkest time of my life.
In that moment, my mom called me to dinner and she noticed that I was down. She comforted with words of encouragement. She told me that even if I was not a citizen today, one day I would become one. She told me that I was valuable and that I belonged in our home and that I mattered to my friends. My mother not only cheered me up, but she taught me a valuable lesson. We belong on this planet because we are of this planet. She taught me that while my immigration status affects my life, I should not allow it to be the only thing that defines me.
ScholarshipsA-Z plays the vital role of providing hope and a place of belonging for undocumented youth in Tucson. When I was asked to be on the board, I did not hesitate to join. In the past three years that I have served, I have witnessed our team empower over 300 undocumented students in Phoenix and Tucson to pursue their dreams through the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle program. And I have witnessed out team create a community where undocumented students feel safe and belong.
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It was my first year as a school counselor and I was asked to be the sole support for our DACAmented and undocumented student population. I was clueless as to how to go about it and was not given much direction as to what support for these students was expected to look like. Advice from my coworkers was vague as they suggested that I maintain a support group, but did not offer any insight as to what that would pertain. “Don’t worry about it” they told me, “the students will do the work for the group.” I was at a loss for what to do.
During the summer months prior to the start of the school year, I mulled over what my role would look like. I arranged for a meeting with the director of ScholarshipsA-Z. He gave me binders and packets of material to sift through in order to get a better understanding of the barriers that undocumented and DACAmented students face. I hauled it all home and read it that night. Rather than feeling relieved, I felt frustrated; I was plagued with the thought, “How am I supposed to support these students when opportunities are so limited?” As an educator, I wanted the best opportunities for my students, yet I knew that so much of the focus would be on FAFSA completion and scholarship workshops; most of which would not be accessible to my undocumented and DACAmented youth. I was in need of resources and guidance from fellow educators that were carrying out this work in their own schools; a need that drove me to the ScholarshipsA-Z Educator’s Committee meetings.
ScholarshipsA-Z was my sole support. During my first ever Educator’s Committee meeting, I was welcomed by fellow educators and former students that were as passionate about this as I was. These leaders gave me the guidance and the inspiration necessary to create a support group at my school. They created opportunities for my students to succeed such as the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle Program. That was the first workshop I could provide to them that they alone could own. When every other student was filling out a FAFSA, my students had a scholarship program built solely around them.
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Want to be part of ScholarshipsA-Z’s Mosaic?
We’d love to add your piece.
Email us at info@scholarshipsaz.org with the subject:
Mosaic Project – Participation Request