CAMPUS: Alumni scholarships ease up bills, free up study time for students 

By Alejandro Garza
Bridge contributing writer
Published Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Two Texas A&M International University seniors were among the 10 recipients of TAMIU Alumni Association scholarships. These funds cut bills and stress this Fall, helping the students study more and work less.

The association announced the scholarship awards on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at an Alumni Award Ceremony. One recipient was senior Leslie Sanchez, who said she received the notification early during the day after weeks of constantly checking the scholarship portal.

“I had just woken up and finally saw, ‘Congratulations,’” Sánchez said. “I was so happy.”

Sánchez said the award mostly covered tuition and helped with course materials. As a nursing student, she said she needs many access codes, and the costs add up quickly.

Without the scholarship, Sánchez said she would need to repay her tuition with an emergency loan after an expensive summer. This award allows her to not pay anything out-of-pocket at the start of the term.

The most significant day-to-day change, Sánchez said, is time. This allowed her to pause some of her side hustles.

“I was doing DoorDash, but now I have more time to study,” she said. “Nursing takes constant studying and clinicals, so this takes away financial stress.”

Another scholarship recipient was senior biology major Francheska Rodríguez who learned she had been selected near the end of her work shift.

“I started to cry because it was more than I expected,” Rodríguez said, “and I realized how competitive and prestigious it is.”

Rodríguez said the funds helped her by acting as a financial cushion after a costly summer and household move. Since her work income was cut during school hours, the award gave her leeway to cover personal expenses and save money on her course materials.

“It gave me confidence and motivation to keep studying and stick to what I promised in my essay,” Rodríguez said.

The experience made her want to be more active on campus and give back.

“I want to become a physician assistant and, one day, I would love to create my own scholarship to help students the way this one helped me,” she said.

Recipients said the application essay mattered.

“Focus on your essay and really put your heart into it,” Sánchez said.

Rodríguez agreed, “Do not be scared to apply. Even if you think you will not get it, apply anyway. Speak from your heart and stay true to your values.”

Alumni Association Secretary Christy Rangel Bryand said the program exists to help with financial pressure and inspire students to keep pursuing their goals.

“It’s important for us to give back to our students,” Bryand said. “They’re going to be our future alumni, and helping them now encourages a cycle of generosity and support that benefits the entire university.”

She explained that the association organizes multiple fundraisers throughout the year with proceeds going directly to student scholarships.

“We believe there’s nothing more valuable than an education,” Bryand said. “Every dollar we raise goes toward helping students stay focused on their studies instead of worrying about expenses.”

Bryand said they carefully review each application to ensure fair and inclusive selections.

“We look at the full picture,” she said. “Every essay tells a story, and we want to make sure we’re helping students who truly need it and are committed to succeeding.” 

About the awards

This year’s Alumni Association Endowed Scholarships went to Arnold Cazares, Jazmin Flores, Mindy García, Karen Martínez, Sara Montiel, Ximena Ríos, Rodríguez, Jorge Rodríguez, Daniela Sánchez Gomez and Sánchez. Alumni Association Vice President Luis Sánchez and Bryand presented the awards.

According to an association press release, the program supports the University’s mission by encouraging alumni to give back. Since 2006, it has awarded 116 individual scholarships totaling $128,000 to students.

Students applied through Fund$Finder, the University scholarship search tool. The release notes that recipients must meet University scholarship criteria, be enrolled full-time, and hold an overall GPA between 2.0 and 3.0. Eligible students should also meet federal guidelines as financially disadvantaged.

Recipients said the scholarships also encourage them to think about giving back.

Rodríguez said donors “give back from the heart,” but hopes overall scholarship funding grows, so support becomes a “collective effort” that reaches more first-generation students.

Sánchez emphasized the practical relief.

“It took off financial stress so I could focus on labs, clinicals and studying,” she said.

For Sánchez, the award meant not having to pick up extra shifts so she could focus on clinicals. For Rodríguez, it gave her breathing room after an expensive summer and reminded her that alumni still look out for students.

Both said they hope more scholarships like these become available so future Dustdevils can have an easier choice between paying bills and keeping up with classes.

“I’m just really thankful,” Sánchez said. “Thank God for this support; it made a big difference.”