Pictured left to right: Regina Milkovich, Olneya Fong, Patricia Salazar, Matthew Priskorn, Kasia Andrus, Christina Joyner
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
If you are looking for options to help finance your education, scholarships are available no matter where you are in your educational journey. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting or returning to school after working in the professional world— opportunities abound!
The next scholarship application cycle begins in March 2024 for fall 2024 scholarships. The Maricopa Community Colleges have made it easy to apply for hundreds of student scholarships with one application. Visit our webpage on scholarship opportunities for more information.
Eight students have received Fall 2023 Rio Salado College scholarships and have shared how the scholarships are helping them pay for school and reach their academic goals.
Kasia Andrus – MCCCD Foundation General Scholarship
“Your generosity has not only made a significant impact on my educational journey but has also enabled me to pursue my passion and dreams. I am attending Rio Salado College where I am pursuing creative writing. Growing up it was difficult for me to read and write, as I have dyslexia. I have learned techniques to make it easier to do both, and now I deeply enjoy writing. I believe that delving into this subject will help me to possibly become an author. Your scholarship allows me to concentrate more on my studies, knowing that the financial aspect is alleviated.”
Olneya Fong – SPOT 127 (part of Rio Salado’s KJZZ 91.5 FM) Carstens Family Fund
“This scholarship will help me pursue my educational goals and also help alleviate my financial burden. My dream is to become a university chemistry professor. Currently, I am in high school. This fall I enrolled in organic chemistry, physics, and nanotechnology at Phoenix College. I plan to complete chemistry research at Mesa Community College, where I hope to investigate the use of stinknet, a noxious weed, for biofuel production. The impact of your contribution extends beyond community college. The knowledge I gain will provide a robust foundation for my future studies. I feel more confident and prepared for my journey to university.”
Madison Bermudez Houle - Thor Family Endowed Scholarship
“Receiving a scholarship means so much to me and my son because I would be able to actually create a better life for the two of us. I want to show my son that you can do anything you set your mind to. I recently became a single mother when my partner passed away in November. So now I am supporting our family working full time. The biggest barrier and fear for me going back to school is the financial consideration. Receiving a scholarship will make my education so much more possible. Going to school while being a full-time mother and employee is a big responsibility. I know it will be worth it once I get to the finish line.”
Christina Joyner - Winston and Dr. Jean Tease Social Justice Scholarship
“Receiving a scholarship will benefit my education greatly. I am a part-time student, a single mother of two children, one of which has autism, and also help to take care of my elderly parents. I plan to take courses year-round until completion. I look forward to completing my bachelor’s degree in elementary education (at Rio Salado). With additional financial resources, I will be in a position to purchase a much-needed laptop for my courses. Going back to school has truly been a positive in my life and I hope my degree will lead to a permanent position as a teacher.”
Regina Milkovich - James P. Hornburg Memorial Scholarship
“Thank you for donating funds to help college students with our education! As I'm using a payment plan to fund my tuition, this scholarship will help offset some out-of-pocket costs. I'm taking classes at Rio Salado College because the courses are all offered online, so I can work around my busy work schedule. I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in public safety administration, and already putting my education to work. I am currently a police dispatch supervisor with the Arizona Department of Public Safety but hope to advance in the organization with a better education.”
Matthew Priskorn - The Hazel Davis Literacy Legacy Scholarship
“When the pandemic of 2020 led to the termination of my leadership role … it allowed me the time to focus on what matters most to me and uncover how I can make a bigger impact in my community. I am determined and hope to bring my enthusiasm and positivity to a classroom one day. I define success as being better equipped to help my fellow humans and to achieve results in aiding those who live in my neighborhood. We need good teachers to uplift and reinforce the community, and to mentor generations of students to do good work and support one another once they reach adulthood. I truly hope that I can become one of these great teachers. I am excited and eager to become a student again this spring to pursue the post- baccalaureate teacher certification in early education.”
Patricia Salazar – Dr. Harry E. Whyte Memorial Scholarship
“Receiving this scholarship will help relieve some of this stress and make it possible for me to purchase all my books and instruments. I was in foster care and just aged out of the system. I am a full-time student and not working while attending school. I am pursuing an associate degree in dental hygiene and hope to graduate next fall. I have been pursuing this career path since I first graduated high school. I am excited to one day graduate and be proud to have pushed through all these classes and finally work my dream job.”
Ma'Kaila Strange - We Are Rio: Employee Scholarship
“Receiving this scholarship means so much to me, my family, and my education. Not only will this scholarship help me pay for school and finish with less debt, but it will also allow me to recognize that others see my potential to successfully contribute to our society. I have always suffered from my own disability, which makes it even harder to accomplish my goals. I'm so proud of myself because I have been able to graduate from high school, obtain my associate degree, and now with this scholarship, I'm much closer to getting my bachelor’s degree in information technology.”
Rheanan Wright - Dr. Larry Celaya Memorial Scholarship
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunities the Dr. Larry Celaya Memorial Scholarship has given me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration. I am thrilled to start classes again with Rio and take the next step in my educational journey. My first child will be here within the next month, and the award will take a significant amount of stress away from me, allowing me to dedicate more time to learning to be a mother. Knowing it is all leading to me accomplishing my goals and becoming an attorney makes every moment invaluable.”