MCALLEN, Texas - Lorena Martinez is financial aid specialist in the student financial services department of South Texas College.
The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service recently met up with Martinez to learn more about a partnership STC has with the City of Mission and Mission Economic Development Corporation.
Under this partnership, Mission residents can apply for MEDA Scholarship monies to help pay for their eduction at STC.
Here is the interview:
MISSION, Texas - South Texas College, in partnership with Mission Economic Development Corporation, is inviting permanent residents of Mission who are interested in furthering their education to apply for the MEDA Scholarship.
MEDA stands for Mission Economic Development Authority. The scholarship has been going for about ten years.
On Aug. 9, 2012, the STC board of trustees approved and authorized the acceptance of the MEDA Scholarship. It established a trust of $3 million with funds to be used to establish and offer scholarships.
The scholarship was first awarded in the fall of 2013, and since then more than $1.3 million has been awarded to more than 700 STC students from Mission.
Teclo Garcia, CEO of Mission EDC, says the scholarship provides Mission residents with opportunities to gain the skillsets needed to take the next steps in their careers. He said it also allows flexibility to choose from a variety of certificates and degrees that meet applicants at whatever stage they are at in their educational journey.
“The goal is get Mission ahead in training and education,” Garcia said. “We have some of the hardest-working talent in Texas, and this scholarship helps residents elevate their skills to be able to compete for better-paying jobs, learn new trades, or even finish a degree they may have already have started.”
STC Coordinator of Scholarships Judy Martinez said that to date, the MEDA Scholarship fund has yielded a high success rate with a graduation rate of nearly 80 percent.
“Ten years of collaboration between the Mission EDC and South Texas College is a momentous milestone,” Martinez said. “It represents ten years of working together to fast economic prosperity for the city of Mission by increasing the educational attainment of its residents and enveloping a skilled workforce to meet the region’s growing demand.”
Editor’s Note: The scholarship application form and additional information can be found at southtexascollege.edu/meda. The application deadline for the fall 2023 semester is Monday, July 31. Students may also call 956-872-8375 for more information.
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