Wings Middle School Scholarships

Click to View current Wings Middle School Scholarship recipients.

Why are these scholarships so important?

Approximately one in four students graduating from La Manzanilla's elementary school drop out before middle school. Factors inhibiting students from continuing their education include the following:

• Limited family economic resources
• The need to start working to assist the family in earning money
• Parents who do not see the long-term value of education

By becoming a scholarship sponsor you can give the lifetime gift of education to a student who is motivated to pursue a middle school education but lacks the financial means.

Potential scholarship recipients must demonstrate high academic standing and good character. These are the students who are seen to be most likely to pursue further education and to give back to the community. Once accepted in the program, financial assistance by sponsors is distributed to students based on their financial need.

Become a sponsor for our Wings Scholarship Program!

For just $550USD you can make a huge difference in the life of a student in La Manzanilla by sponsoring one year of middle school and giving that student the wings to fly! This provides a student with a full scholarship which will cover all their expenses for one year of middle school.

Below is a budget of the costs (in pesos) for one year of study in the middle school, along with the scholarship administration fee incurred by our foundation:

If the sponsor is pleased with the student's results then the sponsor may choose to continue supporting this student for another one or two years until the student completes middle school (middle school in Mexico is just for three years). This is not expected, however, and the student will receive the scholarship with the understanding that it’s only for their first year to help them get a jump start on their education.

Selection Process

Using the following criteria LCEF Board Members will work with the middle school and elementary school principals and teachers to select the scholarship recipients:

• Graduating elementary school student or current middle school student who does not have the financial means to continue
• Demonstrated financial need
• High academic merit
• Participant in community service work
• Participant in one of La Catalina Foundation’s educational programs (English classes or math program)
• Participant must maintain at least an average grade of 8.5 on the 1 – 10 point Mexican grading system (equivalent to a B+ average) 

How the Scholarship is administered:

The student receives payments in 10 installments throughout the academic year for their basic school supplies expenses and breakfast costs.  The remaining funds go towards their weekly private tutoring sessions and the administrative costs associated with running this program. LCEF requires scholarship students to attend these extra tutoring sessions as well as completing 20 hours of community service throughout the year. These requirements are meant to build upon and enhance the student's in-school education and give back to the community.

Meet the Student You Sponsor:

Sponsors will receive a thank you note from the student they fund.  In order to get to know the student and their family, sponsors are invited to make contact through letter correspondence, email (if possible), or in-person visits which LCEF will organize.  The recipient’s photo will be posted on our website with a personal message from the student.  Donors may also request a copy of the student’s first and second semester progress report.

Contact Us to become a sponsor!
View current Wings Middle School Scholarship recipients