University Vocational Assistance (UVA) is a local organization founded to help defray the costs of higher education for deserving lakeside students. Recently, the 38 students eligible to receive assistance this fall presented their grades from the just completed term to organization leaders and picked up their checks for the current semester.
The 8.5-grade point average required for each term is the base line for continued assistance by the UVA Scholarship Fund. Part of the success for this program, one of the oldest continuous lakeside charities, is the close monitoring of the progress of each student.
When youngsters apply for assistance, UVA representatives visit the students’ homes and talk with the parents to establish the level of the families’ economic and emotional support. The journey through the university program requires sacrifices by everyone in each family. UVA continues to help students selected for the program through graduation, and in most cases, through the licensing process.
One of UVA’s strengths is the counseling provided for students as they near the completion of their studies. During the final two semesters students are assisted in the process of applying for their professional licenses, particularly in determining which of the licensing options: examination, thesis, and/or superior grade point are best suited to the students.
The UVA program is completely transparent and assures donors that 100 percent of funds donated for students goes to students. This has remained an abiding principle of the program since its inception almost 40 years ago.
Anyone wishing to assist a student or learn more about the operation of the program should contact either Sue Torres at (376) 766-2932 or Cristina Baron (376) 766-3574. Check out the program on Facebook at UVA Becas.