In her home country of the Dominican Republic, Ashlie Polanco Medina at one point worked with a nonprofit company that built homes for the poor. It had a profound effect on her and sparked her interest in civil engineering, which eventually led her to Minnesota State Mankato.
Today, her voice quivers as she recounts how a new adventure in a new school in a new state nearly fell apart—and how a nick-of-time scholarship arriving this month saved the day.
After spending three years at a college in Arlington, Va., Medina transferred to Minnesota State Mankato’s Iron Range Engineering program this fall. That’s when little financial hits kept coming, ultimately exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.
Although she lost out on some financial aid in the transfer, Medina had money in savings from a good-paying job at a theater in Arlington. But soon after she enrolled and moved to the Iron Range as a Minnesota State Mankato student, the bills started arriving.
She panicked when her work-study registration got hung up and stalled.
Her savings account was evaporating.
The tuition notices, of course, were prompt and timely.
“As a student, just knowing there’s a balance due, it’s hard to focus,” she says. .
Even after figuring in her work-study payment schedule, the numbers weren’t working in her favor. Work study provided $300 every two weeks. Of that, $270 went to tuition. That left $30 for all else, including food.
She spent some dark days exploring options that included quitting school.
Then, this month, she received word that she was among 25 applicants who received $1,500 in scholarship money through donations of University alumni, friends and staff. She chokes back tears, detailing how it’s making her life easier and her education ongoing.
“The scholarship changes everything, because I don’t’ have to worry about this semester,” she says. “It was just in time, but it was perfect.”
Private donors funded the scholarships when they stepped up during the course of three fundraising efforts over the course of the past nine months: the “We Are in this Together” campaign from Spring, 2020; the Campus Cares campaign; and the University’s fall Campus Drive, supported by faculty, staff and a $15,000 match challenge provided by the Foundation Board. From those, a section of scholarships was created for students financially affected by the pandemic, with 25 students receiving scholarships of $1,500 each. The Foundation intends to award another 25 scholarships in Spring 2021.
Many of the recipients will receive their scholarship in two installments, one for fall semester and one in spring.
“It’s going to help them finish this semester and continue next semester,” says Michelle Reinhardt, director of Stewardship and Foundation Relations at the University. “It’s really meant to help them stay enrolled and persist.”
Among the recipients is Dakota Rainwater, who until the pandemic hit had a steady income as bass player for a country-rock band performing two to three nights a week in nightclubs, casinos and bars around Minnesota. A first-year student studying automotive engineering, he suddenly joined the ranks of sidelined musicians when COVID measures shut down venues.
“I’ve made no money,” he says. “The last time I had a gig was a month ago.”
Struggling to keep his balance current, he entertained thoughts of postponing his education.
“It was at the back of my mind,” he says from his room at McElroy Residence Community. “I really didn’t want to. I’m making new friends and learning a lot of stuff. It would be the worst thing ever if I had to leave for a semester until next year or something. That would be super, super rough. I’m doing everything I can to stay.”
The email telling him he received the scholarship ensures he’ll be enrolled in spring. “It was a big moment of relief,” Rainwater says.
“The sky is clear now,” adds Medina, who remains on track to earn an Integrated Engineering degree with a focus on civil engineering. “I am very grateful.”
Speak Your Mind