Top fields for scholarship recipients include Nursing, Allied Health, STEM, and Business

 

POSTED ON Oct 10, 2024

 

According to an announcement from South Texas College, the 2025-2026 Mission Economic Development Authority (MEDA) scholarship applications will open in January 2025. 

Eligible students can receive up to $800 per semester, with the scholarship automatically renewing as long as they continue to meet the criteria until they reach a maximum of $3,200. 

Since 2013, the MEDA scholarship has supported nearly 1,000 South Texas College students. 

Lorena Martinez, a financial aid specialist at South Texas College (STC), said the scholarship is unique. “It’s remarkable to see how the city of Mission cares for its residents, helps them attend college, and provides ongoing assistance each semester.”

Maria Fernanda Valdez, a recent graduate from STC’s Patient Care Technician program, who arrived from Mexico two years ago, expressed her gratitude for the scholarship. 

She took English as a Second Language for six months and then enrolled in the program. 

“This fall, I will continue working toward an associate degree in Biology,” she said. 

Maria’s dream is to help women with their health and remind them about essential cancer screenings. 

“While I’m still figuring out which school to attend, possibly out of town, I know my future lies in Mission, serving the community that has become so special to me.” 

South Texas is notable for its extensive dual credit program; more than 95 percent of its 26,000 students identify as Hispanic.

According to the city of Mission’s website,  in October 2023, the Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced that it had awarded nearly $1.5 million in financial aid to 872 students through a scholarship fund established with South Texas College 10 years ago.

Of the more than 300 applicants who applied, nearly 64% received aid from the Mission Economic Development Authority Scholarship Fund.

Teclo Garcia, CEO of the Mission EDC, said, “This will pay high dividends. Look at the top three fields of study our recipients pursue: Nursing & Allied Health, Math/Science/Engineering, and Business. Those are all in high demand.” South Texas College has been the perfect partner for the program.