We live in a country full of all kinds of different people with different backgrounds, lifestyles and motivations and the Monarch Scholarship is sending Wright in the direction to help people with diverse backgrounds.
In 2012, President Obama signed an executive order for undocumented students allowing them to work , which helps since undocumented students are ineligible for financial aid.
A group of Wright College students run a group called LASO, or the Latin American Student Organization. Have you noticed that butterfly all over campus with all the little drawings in it?
Vice President of LASO Melanny Buitron took an already existing symbol for undocumented students, and decided to put her own twist on it. She inserted little drawings inside to symbolize Wright College and the programs they offer.
Together Student Ambassador Melanny Buitron, College Financial Adviser I Arturo Urquiza, Community Affairs Liaison Iris Millan, Professor Daniel Borzutsky and select others decided to create something the Monarch Scholarship.
Every one of these members has a touching story on why they chose to get involved in this scholarship. For one, many have a connection to the undocumented status or are close to a community with many people who have this status.
The Monarch Scholarship is exclusively for undocumented students. People may not understand the struggle of having to apply for scholarships while undocumented and this scholarship opens up a new door at Wright to try and promote equality in strength whether you’re different or not.
If you are a deserving student with good grades and fit the proper conditional criteria, then this is definitely the scholarship you should apply to.
Scholarships are based off donations received by staff, faculty, and people who live in the neighborhood. The positive reaction to the scholarship has been amazing.
At first, the plan was to give away one scholarship but with all the great results they’re hoping to give away two scholarships to deserving students at Wright College.
The positive response the Monarch Scholarship has received has solidified its place at Wright College. The opportunities it provides undocumented students backs the mission of the City Colleges of Chicago: to eliminate barriers to employment and to address and overcome inequality in higher education.