The City of San Antonio’s Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) has partnered with the Alamo Colleges Foundation to create a $40,000 scholarship fund specifically designed to support non-traditional student parents. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens for individuals who have returned to education after a break and are balancing family responsibilities.

"This initiative aims to ease financial burdens and empower individuals balancing family responsibilities while furthering their education,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’d like to commend the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women for their dedication to continuously uplifting San Antonio families.”

The MCSW Scholarship underscores San Antonio’s ongoing commitment to expanding educational access and fostering economic mobility within the community.

Scholarship Details and Eligibility

Selected scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters. To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled at any Alamo College.
• Maintain full-time or part-time student status.
• Have a minimum 2.0 GPA.
• Be a non-traditional student, defined as having a gap between high school graduation and college enrollment.
• Be a parent with at least one dependent child at the time of application.

The scholarship funds offer flexibility, covering tuition, books, educational expenses, childcare, or emergency living expenses to help students continue their pursuit of an educational degree.

Inaugural Recipients Announced

The first group of 10 selected Alamo Colleges recipients spans across five colleges:

• Northeast Lakeview College: Maria Tapia, Kendall Reid, and Elisabeth Johnson
• Northwest Vista College: Vivian Lesmes and Megan Mendez
• Palo Alto College: Shirley Constans and Darlene Denend
• San Antonio College: Angel Bernal and Chenoa Faison
• St. Philip’s College: Luz Castro

"This scholarship fund from the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women moves us closer to our moonshot of ending poverty through education and training," said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. "It will help student parents balance family and education while opening doors to a brighter future, for themselves, their children, and our entire community."

MCSW Chair Vanessa Martinez added, “The Commission recognizes the determination and resilience of nontraditional students, and we are proud to support their journey toward a higher education and economic stability. By investing in San Antonio families, we are investing in the future of our community.”