The Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, in alliance with the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty or MAAC announced they had opened the application for their first-ever scholarship program named ColibriMX for Latino and Mexican American students.

The main objective of this project, the alliance said, is to help promote higher education for the Latino and Mexican American population.

According to Consul General Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, the Institute of Mexican Abroad or IME provided $36,000. Initially, the objective was to raise around "$34,000 more to distribute grants amounting to $1,000 to 70 local students."

In connection to the scholarship grant, Gonzalez Gutierrez said, they "believe in the power of education" being the best instrument for social flexibility.

Application Now Open

Since it has been announced that applications are now being accepted, students can already submit their essay containing 600 words until July 8 this year. San Diego Tribune reported that announcement of scholarship grantees is scheduled on August 14.

The said scholarship grants had been announced in December last year. However, because of the global pandemic, the project will begin accepting entries today, June 10. 

Named after a hummingbird also called "colibri," the ColibriMX scholarship program, according to the consul general, "moves around just like the immigrant community." More so, Gonzalez Gutierrez added, also represents, it signifies "hope and personal strength." 

Their hope, the consul general continued, "That ColibriMX" would inspire Latino and Mexican American students in San Diego as the program gives them the assurance that the got the government and MAAC's support and that, "we have your back."

Good News to First-Time College Students

It is the main objective of this scholarship program to serve first-time college enrollees this fall 2020 semester who have "2.5 or higher GPA." 

The grant is designed as well, for those who can "demonstrate Mexican or Latino descent, financial difficulty, and residence in San Diego County."

According to MAAC CEO, Arnulfo Manriquez, "Now, more than ever," they want to support and inspire a new generation of leaders as they pursue higher education.

These young leaders, he added, "will be the beacons of hope, strength and perseverance" everyone needs for the enactment of amendment in this community, the region and even the entire world.

A community- and a business-organized committee is tasked to assess the students' essays and applications.

The Partnership

As Mexico's Consul General, Gonzalez Gutierrez is responsible for the safeguarding of the safeguarding the wellbeing of any Mexican national residing in San Diego County. It is also his duty to connect these Mexicans in the county, to specific resources.

Meanwhile, MAAC is San Diego County's leading provider of "comprehensive social services." It also functions to build healthier and stronger communities through the space it provides. 

Such space is where individuals and households in need can find resources to self-sufficiency through support and access to high-quality projects in what MAAC's five critical areas of focus which include education, health and wellbeing, and affordable housing, among others.

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