Starfish Scholarships
The Mexican government funds school through 6th grade. Arrow Outreach picks up the slack, granting scholarships to keep children in school from 7th grade through university.
The Story
The Starfish Scholarship Program offers middle school, high school, and collegiate or technical degree education to families in Juarez, where the Mexican government does not require education beyond the 6th grade. 500 students have participated in the program since 2001, helping to break cycles of generational poverty.
Juarez is a historic city of over 1 million people and has endured generations of poverty. Over 200,000 children in Juarez hope for a better future, their families want it for them, but many drop out of school after the 6th grade to begin working and bringing income to their families. In Mexico families have to pay around $500 a year for a public education after the 6th grade, and that’s money most families do not have.
Impact
529
529 students have received scholarships, and almost 250 are currently in the program
$450
$450 provides a full year scholarship for a student
Future
​​Starfish graduates have gone on to become nurses, dentists, business owners, and teachers
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​The program is operated by Arrow’s staff in Juarez, and financed/audited through US support
TESTIMONIALS
My name is Abigail Vazquez Hernandez. I’m 23 and just graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez.
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To get to my 7:00 A.M. classes, I used public transportation and woke up very early. Even with bad weather, I didn’t like missing school. The scholarship helped me cover tuition, books, and transportation—costs my parents couldn’t afford.
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I’m very grateful to Arrow Outreach and Yo Y Mi Casa for being such a big blessing in my life.
Abigail Vasquez Hernandez
Scholarship recipient since 2014
My name is Brenda Fuentes Rafael. I’m 20, studying Geoscience Engineering at Universidad Autónoma in Juárez. I live with my mom and 14-year-old sister and have a 40-minute commute by bus.
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I help with housework and had to take time off school due to a serious medical condition. I was hospitalized for 15 difficult days, but I recovered and stayed on track with my classes.
Arrow Outreach and Yo Y Mi Casa helped me pay for medical and university expenses. I’m very thankful for their support.
Brenda Fuentes Rafael
Scholarship recipient since 2014
My name is Isaac Eduardo López Graniel. I’m 22 and finishing my degree in Political Science and Public Administration at Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua in Juárez.
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Studying and working at the same time has been hard, but I’m in the final stretch. The support from Arrow Outreach and Yo Y Mi Casa helped me cover university costs and keep my job so I can support my family. I’m very grateful.
Isaac Eduardo Lopez Graniel
Scholarship recipient since 2017