About this time in 2015, Génesis Delgado Gaona received the news that she had been chosen to receive a regional scholarship from Montemorelos University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution 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.

Felipa Gaona, Génesis’ mother, said during the graduation ceremony on August 4, 2022, “As her mother, I am so proud of her and thankful that my oldest daughter has studied at this university, which I consider one of the best universities in the country. And now my youngest daughter has that same opportunity.”

Génesis said that the influence she received changed her life to the point of directly influencing her family, especially her younger sisters. She said that besides applying to Montemorelos University, her sister also wants 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,” Génesis said. Génesis is now a surgeon and will be pursuing a medical specialty.

Génesis’ story is why the regional scholarship was created, Jacqueline Lozano, director of advancement and recruitment at Montemorelos University, said. Promising 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,” Lozano said.

In 2022, the call for regional scholarship applications was opened from March to July. Applicants were visited in their home by recruiters to ensure that 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 and not be a Seventh-day Adventist church member or have a family member who is a church member. They also need to have maintained at least an 8.5 grade average (according to the grading system in Mexico). Once accepted, the student must remain in the academic program he or she entered for at least one year.

Even though the program has offered five spots every year for the past 15 years, this year three more spots were opened, but not with the same percentage of financial support, Lozano said. 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,” school leaders explained. “The three additional students who joined the program this year will only receive 40 percent of financial assistance.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.