staff members
UTSA financial aid staff members with award plaque

UTSA honored for SAEP scholarship awards

By Omar Hernandez
Public Affairs Specialist

(April 8, 2009)--The San Antonio Education Partnership (SAEP) inducted six of its members into the Million Dollar Club on Friday, March 20. The University of Texas at San Antonio led the group in the number of SAEP awards with more than $2.3 million awarded in SAEP scholarships.

The Million Dollar Club is an exclusive for partners who have received scholarships from SAEP for more than $1 million. The funds benefit education partnership students. Currently, UTSA has 587 students enrolled.

SAEP celebrated with an appreciation breakfast for area college and university partners. Among the attendees were representatives from UTSA, Our Lady of the Lake University, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, St. Mary's University and University of the Incarnate Word. Each school received a plaque to commemorate the achievement.

"As a former employee of the San Antonio Education Partnership, I'm proud to have been part of this great organization," said Shirley Banez, UTSA associate director of financial aid and scholarships. "It has and continues to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of local high school graduates by furthering their dreams of higher education through scholarships and college access programs."

Students are recruited during their freshman year of high school. They are required to maintain a B average and have 95-percent attendance throughout their four years in high school. With the help of advisers, the students are mentored and guided through the move from high school to college. UTSA offers transition teams who help smooth the process for entering freshmen. Most are first-generation college students, and more than 90 percent come from low-income families.

For more information, visit the San Antonio Education Partnership Web site or contact Shirley Banez at (210) 458-7160.