MSU Texas helps Café con Leche provide larger scholarships to students

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - First-generation college students in the Wichita Falls Café con Leche program are receiving a boost in the form of scholarships from Midwestern State University.

Seven students will be receiving a $4,000 scholarship this year thanks to the new partnership with the university. In years past Café con Leche has given away a $1,000 scholarship to students who apply and qualify.

One of those recipients is 17-year-old Evelyn Hernandez, who plans to major in criminal justice.

“I didn’t know how to react, I was like in shock and I was happy. I appreciate the opportunity that MSU and Café con Leche are giving me,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez has been in the Café con Leche program since she was a freshman at Wichita Falls High School. After three rounds of random drawings during the programs community cafes and financial aid events, she was finally chosen to win a scholarship.

“If it wasn’t because of this program I think I would still be thinking of going to college as just something I want to do other than something I’m going to do,” Hernandez said.

This year, Café con Leche will be providing almost $28,000 in scholarships and Gonzalo Robles, founder of the program, said he wished more students took advantage of the resources the program offers.

“I’m not doing this just for MSU, I’m thinking about the community. We need to grow with a well-trained workforce and what better way for the local students to stay here, graduate, find jobs and help the local economy,” Robles said.

To qualify for a Café con Leche scholarship:

You must be a high school senior
Live in Wichita County
Be a first-generation college student
Be admitted to Midwestern State University and maintain a 2.0 GPA

“My mom is really proud of me. My sister and my brothers didn’t know I won the scholarship and they always remind me that they’re always going to be there for me,” Hernandez said.

For more information on Café con Leche scholarships and programs, visit their website.