The Mentoring Resilient Students project will enable Education Forward Arizona to continue providing mentoring services and support for up to 800 students who are currently enrolled in an Arizona community college or university and experienced economic hardship during the pandemic. These students meet regularly with a success adviser who helps them set goals, respond to challenges and stay on track with their college education. The program supports mostly first-generation, low-income, minority students.
These students also received support from the Arizona Postsecondary Student Resiliency Fund, an initiative of Education Forward Arizona and Helios Education Foundation that provided $500,000 to more than 1,250 low-income and first-generation students to help them continue their college career despite the economic hardships caused by the pandemic. Funds went towards things like living expenses, transportation, technology and food.
The project helps students like Fransheska Salgado, who received the scholarship money after she had to move back to San Luis with her family during the pandemic. She now meets with her success adviser Stephanie Capps several times a semester.
“It has helped me remain accountable throughout this school year,” said Salgado, who is studying political science at Arizona State University. “Having Stephanie as my mentor provides a constant reminder that I am working towards my future and getting closer to my goal of graduating college.”
“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing how excited my students are after completing the short- and long-term goals we’ve outlined each semester,” said Capps. “It’s wonderful to know that through our support these students will have a lifetime of success, beginning with a college degree.”
This grant is part of the Spring 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.