Yuma, Arizona - The collaboration between Arizona Western College Foundation and the Consulate of Mexico in Yuma, Arizona continues as the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding is signed  to increase the educational level of Mexicans or Mexican origin students living in the United States through the program “IME-Becas”.

This is a program of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad that seeks to expand educational opportunities for students who are currently enrolled in a degree program at Arizona Western College.

For the implementation of this program, the Government of Mexico provides funds to support organizations and educational institutions to leverage local resources with education programs for Mexicans interested in continuing their studies. The Mexican government established the IME-Becas Program in 2005. Since then, more than 44,000 students have benefited from the program nationwide.

This fellowship program seeks to facilitate academic and professional development of Mexicans in the United States, to improve economic development and quality of life in the society where they live, and to link their knowledge to the development of their places of origin in Mexico.

The total dollars available this year to contribute to the academic development of Mexican migrants and expand opportunities for Arizona Western College students is $4,116.

A successful matching campaign exceeded expectations due to leadership from generous donors, including Corona Optique, Karen Spencer, the Nelson Family Charitable Fund, the Arizona Western College Foundation, and The Victoria Foundation.  The combined total of available scholarship funds is $14,000, resulting in 14 awarded scholarships.