At around this time in 2015, Génesis Delgado Gaona received the news that she had been chosen to receive a “regional scholarship” from Montemorelos University in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She was able to get into the medical program at the university and immersed herself in the academic, recreational, and spiritual activities on campus. Recently, she graduated.
Montemorelos University is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“As her mother, I am so proud of her and thankful that my oldest daughter had studied at this university, which I consider one of the best universities in the country,” said Felipa Gaona, during the graduation ceremony on August 4, 2022. “And now my youngest daughter has that same opportunity.”
Génesis said the influence she received changed her life to the point of directly influencing her family, especially her younger sisters, who, besides applying to Montemorelos University, also want to be part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“I really enjoyed living this experience very much, and my mother saw a difference in me, even in the friends that I have, and that motivated her to support my sister so that she, too, can study here,” said Génesis. She is now a surgeon and will be pursuing a medical specialty.
![L-R: Jacqueline Lozano, promotion and recruitment director and Nalda Hernández Martín, personal development class coordinator watch a student sign official document as a beneficiary of a regional scholarship at Montemorelos University earlier in Aug. 2022. [Photo: Montemorelos University]](https://images.hopeplatform.org/resize/L3c6MTkyMCxxOjc1L2hvcGUtaW1hZ2VzLzY1ZTcxMzAxZjY1NTI4MWE1MzhlZDM3My8welcxNzEzODgyMjQ2NTg3LmpwZWc/w:1920,q:75/hope-images/65e71301f655281a538ed373/0zW1713882246587.jpeg)
Génesis’ story is exactly why the regional scholarship was created, said Jacqueline Lozano, director of promotion and recruitment at Montemorelos University. Promising, academically qualified students from throughout the Montemorelos area are eligible.
“We want young people to develop a professional vision, according to the institution’s philosophy, and they can find Jesus during their academic life,” said Lozano.
The call for regional scholarships this year opened from March to July. Applicants were visited in their homes by recruiters to ensure all prerequisites were met, including their family and socioeconomic status.
Those who are eligible to apply for the scholarship must be born in the citrus region in Montemorelos, not be a Seventh-day Adventist or have any family members who are, and have maintained a minimum 8.5 grade average (grading system in Mexico). Once accepted, the student must remain in the academic program he or she entered in the first year.
![Dr. Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University, speaks to this year’s recipients of the special scholarships and their parents during a special welcoming meeting. [Photo: Montemorelos University]](https://images.hopeplatform.org/resize/L3c6MTkyMCxxOjc1L2hvcGUtaW1hZ2VzLzY1ZTcxMzAxZjY1NTI4MWE1MzhlZDM3My8zQkoxNzEzODgyMjYwMzQ0LmpwZWc/w:1920,q:75/hope-images/65e71301f655281a538ed373/3BJ1713882260344.jpeg)
Even though the program has offered five spots every year for the past fifteen years, this year, three more spots were opened, but not with the same percentage of support, said Lozano. The regular program consists of a 70 percent discount for the first year of studies, 65 percent for the second year, 60 percent for the third, 55 percent for the fourth, and 50 percent for the last.
Young people who study in the medical program receive the same benefit for the first five years in the program. The three additional students who joined the program this year will only receive 40 percent of financial assistance.