Twenty MDC students from countries spanning the globe have found new educational opportunity as recipients of the new Marcelo Saenz Scholarship Fund at Miami Dade College Foundation. Each student received up to $2,000 to help pay for tuition, books, fees and other expenses this fall semester.
“This award will help me focus on my studies and my dream of caring for children in Nigeria and around the world,” says scholarship recipient Etinosa Iyayi. “Thank you for contributing to my growth and development. I hope to make you proud of me and my accomplishments.”
The philanthropist behind the scholarship is Marcelo Saenz, a successful Miami attorney who once took out loans and applied for scholarships to pay for his own college education. Saenz didn’t attend Miami Dade College, but after learning about MDC’s role in providing opportunity to students who otherwise might not have it, he was determined to do something for students who need the most help paying for college.
The Marcelo Saenz Scholarship Fund was set up for international students with unmet financial need. Tuition costs are among the highest for international students. For the scholarship recipients, uncertainty has turned into hope for their future.
“Miami Dade College was the first college that opened its doors to me in the United States. Everything is possible at MDC no matter where we come from,” says Paula Di Martino, who is from Venezuela. “Thank you for thinking about international students. I am so happy and thankful.”
“I thank Mr. Saenz for showing me that that the cost doesn’t have to be an impediment to getting an education,” said scholarship recipient Juliana Fernandez, who is from Colombia.
The Marcelo Saenz Scholarship is making an immediate, and likely an everlasting, impact on students.
“I look forward to the day I’m on the giving end of such a scholarship because there is no better way to give back to a society than to facilitate someone’s education,” said scholarship recipient Mohammed Shaheryaar Abbasy, who is from India.
Learn more about how you can make a difference at www.mdcfoundation.com