Metropolitan State renews exclusive scholarship with Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota— Metropolitan State University and the Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul signed a memorandum today to continue a scholarship of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) Fellowship Program.

The memorandum was signed by Metropolitan State President Virginia “Ginny” Arthur and Head Consul Gerardo Guerrero Gomez of the Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul, Aug. 23 at the university’s Saint Paul Campus.

“Metropolitan State is honored to be chosen again to participate in distributing IME-BECAS scholarships to our eligible students,” stated President Arthur. “The University’s students of Mexican descent make valuable contributions in the classroom and they are a vital part of our vibrant, supportive campus experience. I deeply appreciate the partnership of Consul Guerrero and his team at the Mexican Consulate in Saint Paul in supporting deserving students as they fulfill their potential and dreams.” 

For his part, Consul Guerrero said, “The Institute of Mexicans Abroad and the Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul highly value Metropolitan State University as an ally in reducing access barriers to higher education and in providing workforce development opportunities for Mexican and Mexican-origin students. We celebrate President Arthur’s commitment towards awarding matching funds to the IME-BECAS scholars.”

This is the fifth consecutive year that Metropolitan State University has been selected to participate in IME-BECAS. The scholarship is awarded to students of Mexican descent, and is funded by the government of Mexico and administered through Minnesota State. Metropolitan State University is the exclusive Minnesota institution to receive this funding in 2019.

Awards of $1,200 scholarships are offered to degree-seeking undergraduate students of Mexican ancestry who are enrolled at Metropolitan State University. More than 40 Metropolitan State students have benefitted from this scholarship. Scholarship applications are being accepted 

now through Sept. 6. Contact Maya Sullivan, Dean of Students, for information. Applications may be obtained by emailing dean.students@metrostate.edu.

Latinos are one of the fastest growing segments of the US population. This is illustrated by the fact that today the United States is the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world after Mexico.

Over the course of the last two decades, the Latino population in the state of Minnesota has also experienced unprecedented growth, with a significant portion coming from an influx of new immigrants from Mexico. This growth is even mirrored by the Latino student enrollment at Metropolitan State University.

The IME-BECAS Program is another important opportunity to serve Latino students of Mexican origin and ancestry who attend Metropolitan State University. In partnership with the Mexican Consulate, IME-BECAS is a scholarship program instrumental in alleviating some of the financial strains that impede students from accessing and pursuing their postsecondary education.

Metropolitan State University, a member of Minnesota State, is the Twin Cities public, urban, comprehensive state university providing lifelong learning, and competitive academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels.