LITTLE VILLAGE — When José Aguilar learned he was eligible to apply for a chunk of the $100,000 in scholarships for students of Mexican descent, he knew he had nothing to lose.
Having “no papers” to prove his U.S. residency had always put him at a disadvantage, he said, and it was rare to be presented with an opportunity geared specifically to him.
Fifteen years ago, Aguilar arrived in Chicago’s North Side from the Mexican state of Zacatecas. He admits he came with the mentality of most migrants.
“Which is to go to the United States and work hard for a better life,” he said. “Now I know the key is going to school.”
Last week, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and the “Together We Can” Fund held a ceremony at Second Federal Bank to honor 35 scholarship winners, including Aguilar, from city neighborhoods including Little Village, Pilsen, Albany Park, Logan Square, McKinley Park, Brighton Park, Archer Heights and Gage Park.
The organizations partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago and St. Augustine College, and in September they put out a call for applicants who were about to graduate high school or were currently enrolled in one of the two schools.
More than 300 applications were reviewed by a nine-person committee made up of career counselors from Farragut and Juarez Academies, parents, teachers, and representatives from local non-profits.
“In underserved communities, $1,000 goes a long way for a student,” said Jaime Di Paulo, the executive director of the Chamber, which created the committee. “Students drop out all the time because they don’t have a book, they can’t afford one book. So what may seem like a small amount goes a long way.”
DiPaulo said many applications were disqualified because they were incomplete, indicating a lack of academic guidance as an additional obstacle that Latino students cope with. But the pool of applicants ranged from 17-year-olds to seniors in their 50’s, from the undocumented to second-generation U.S. citizens, and included residents from the suburbs.
Aguilar, who now lives in Belmont Cragin, enrolled in St. Augustine’s Adult Learner program after obtaining his GED. The 33-year-old is aiming for an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education and to become an elementary school teacher or a parent counselor.
“Unfortunately, I have to pay out of pocket, and as father of three it’s not easy,” he said. “When you’re undocumented, you can’t apply to almost any scholarship or for government help.”
By installing carpets on his knees everyday, Aguilar helps his wife provide for their daughters aged 4, 10 and 13. It’s how he pays for his $2,000-per-class college education and how he plans to pay for theirs in the future.
Luckily, he was one of 10 winners who received $5,000, the highest “Together We Can” award. Ten scholarships were given in amounts of $2,500, another 10 in $2,000 increments, and five in $1,000.
Dozens of proud families listened to mariachi music from the youth-led Chicago Mariachi Project based in Pilsen. They were joined by the Mexican General Consulate and the former presidential candidate of Mexico, Josefina Vázquez Mota.
“It was a surprise when I got it,” Aguilar said about his prize. “It’s going to change my life and change my daughters’ lives.”
The scholarship will be available again next year.
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