Eight Brenau students will receive funding from the Mexican government to pursue their education at Brenau university thanks to an annual grant.
The $8,000 grant is funded via the Institute for Mexicans Abroad scholarship program, or IME Becas, with “becas” meaning “scholarship” in Spanish. This is the sixth consecutive year Brenau was awarded the grant for Mexican American students.
“We are appreciative of the collaboration between our university and the Mexican Consulate for the IME scholarship program,” President David L. Barnett said. “Brenau matches this scholarship annually to show our commitment to this partnership. It is significant, particularly in our region and our community, to provide this opportunity to students who otherwise may not have access to higher education.”
Brenau supports this global initiative through the university’s Miller Institute for Global Education by matching the funds to create the scholarships for this year’s eight recipients.
Brenau recently hosted Consulate General Francisco Javier Díaz de León, Karina Regalado and Miguel Puga from the Mexican Consulate for a signing ceremony formalizing the grant agreement.
One of those students is Yareli Aguilar, who attended the ceremony with her mother, Lexie Flores, and shared her gratitude with officials.
“Thanks to your generosity, you have not only lightened my financial burden, but you have also inspired me to try harder, dream bigger and aim higher,” the nursing student from Gainesville said. “Through the knowledge and skills gained through this scholarship, I aspire to empower future generations in Mexico with the same opportunities that have shaped my own journey.”
Brenau is one of five Georgia colleges and universities to receive IME Becas grants in 2024. Two additional community plazas in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee also received grants.
(Pictured: Yareli Aguilar (R) with her mother, Lexie Flores)