Bearing Lasting Fruit through Scholarships
The Scholarship Program allows students to overcome financial hurdles while growing in their opportunity to know Christ and walk deeper with Him. Your finincial gifts and prayers for these students and many others who are desiring to enroll are crucial.
Read more for details on the cost & granting process of each scholarship.
Amounts for one school year are typically:
*Elementary: Private Christian School is $800.00 a year
*Junior High: Public, transportation, uniform, enrollment fees etc. : $450-$650
*High School: $680-$1200
*College level: $1500-$2500.00
The costs varies due to the type of school, school program/profession they enroll in as well as if it is a graduation year for them.
Scholarship Granted 2007-2008 School Year: Thanks to God providing through various financial donors, the Scholarship Program has been able to grant a total of 8 full and 4 partial scholarships this school year. There are always students applying and in need. However, this program is based soley on your financial gifts specified for the Scholarship Program. We currently need more funding in order to enroll several students for our upcoming second semester.
Education and Employment Opportunities in Mexico: In Mexico public education is free until Junior High. Also, by law a child is only required to go to school up to 6th grade. Parents typically work 10 hour days in factories earning the minimum wage of $5.50 a DAY or up to $8-$10 after longer employment terms. In the rural areas of our city the obstacles are often more difficult to overcome in getting your child to school. Junior High and High Schools are a longer trip into the city. However there is typically an elementary school within walking distance of each of these neighborhoods. Many are single parent households with multiple children to care for. Parents in these rural neighrbohods work long exhausting hours and often leave for work before their children go to school and arrive after they have come home, leaving an older sibling in charge. These parents often have an average of a 2-4th grade education. Considering all of these factors, it is often quite difficult for a student to go on to school after Elementary level. These adolescents turn into Junior or High school drop outs and often turn to sexual promiscuity, drug, gang or alcohol abuse. The scholarship program is providing a way out for students at risk of droppping out of school.
Type of scholarship Vine and Branches Provides: For educational purposes focused on but not limited to Junior High, High School and College as well then as Elementary School.Purpose and amount of the scholarships: To primarily support the student financially, with emotional and spiritual encouragement and academic accountability through our consistent contact in establishing a personal relationship with them. The scholarship provides a means to overcome the obstacle of costs such as transportation to and from school, uniforms, books etc for families who are financially unable to enroll and sustain their children or youth in school, as well the purpose is to keep the youth from dropping out of school after elementary school (education required by law) , staying off the streets and in school discovering their potential and equipping them to fulfill their purpose in life. The amount of each scholarship depends upon grade level and school program. Read at top of page to view costs of schooling in Mexico.
How does Vine and Branches determine who is eligible for a scholarship?:
1. Financial need based on families income and household number
2. Applicants grades & conduct, character displayed at home and in school.
3. How at risk they are for possible drop out.
4. Accessing their home environment as per the amount of emotional support and personal accountability they do or do not receive.
They have provided information and meet requirement number 1, Their GPA is at least a B average when applying or in some cases that a B average is earned during the first quarter of the school year , They are at risk for dropping out of school based on their financial need to further their education, Their home environment lends them little or no support system academically, emotionally or spiritually.
What are the requirements and conditions to keep the scholarship?:
*Must earn or maintain a B average minimum at least 3 quarters out of the school year, no more than 5 excused absences allowed from school
*Must report immediately with a copy of their grades signed by their parents as they receive their grades each quarter
*Remain drug and alcohol free, not allowed to be involved in gang related activity
*Report by showing any homework notebooks, tests or quizzes weekly and monthly
*Are participating at an acceptable level in their home environment as well as in their school with classmates and teachers
*Parents are to attend a meeting with the Directors, Alejandro and Diana Aburto once a month.
*Students are to participate in at least one activity weekly of their choice at a partnering church: youth or adult cell group, youth group service, prayer service, Church sponsored classes, Worship Service.
How do directors Alejandro & Diana Aburto supervise the program?*By meeting as needed or twice a month with students and teachers at school and parents at home.
*Checking in with students at least once a week, assisting with academic tutoring or personal counseling.
*Evaluating their progress based on their grades, attendance at school, and overall character growth through forming personal relationships with the students.
*As well we provide opportunities to connect them into other ministries or individuals who can assist them with academic tutoring when needed or employment opportunities on school vacations as well.