MANA de Metro Detroit established its Scholarship Program in 1996. Since then, MANA has awarded one hundred sixty-four (164) scholarships to Latinas. The scholarship awards can cover expenses such as, books, fees, housing, school supplies, parking, gas, and other education related costs.

Eligibility requirements for scholarship include the following: Women must be of Hispanic/Latina origin, resident of Detroit or Metro Detroit, and be accepted or currently enrolled in a higher education institution, vocational/career training, or leadership program. Additional requirements are listed on the application form.

Although MANA started with only one scholarship category, the program has expanded to six (6) scholarship categories:

MANA de Metro Detroit – General Scholarship

This is MANA’s original scholarship and it was designed to assist students of any major with financial assistance to supplement their school budget.  In subsequent years, MANA expanded the scholarship program to include specific scholastic majors.

Carmen Muñoz Entrepreneurship Scholarship

The Carmen Muñoz Entrepreneurship Scholarship was created to honor Carmen’s life and encourage Latinas to continue her legacy of entrepreneurism and community engagement. 

Monica L. Martinez Leadership Scholarship

Monica L. Martinez served as a compassionate advocate and voice for the underserved families, neighborhoods, entrepreneurs, business owners and communities throughout her career. She was also instrumental in providing funding for the MANA scholarships and for the Hermanitas program. This scholarship was established to honor her legacy.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa STEM Scholarship

Dr. Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina to go to space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1993.  She has flown in space four times, logging nearly 1,000 hours.  Her 30-year career at NASA culminated in serving as the 11^th Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, from 2013 until her retirement in May 2018. Due to Dr. Ochoa’s pioneering spirit in the sciences, MANA is proud to name the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarship in her honor. 

Gloria Rosas Teacher Education Scholarship

Since immigrating to the United States, education was the engine that propelled Gloria Rosas’ life of service in Southwest Detroit. Gloria always placed great value in education and the role of parents in the education of their children. Gloria has been advocating on behalf of parents for decades and continues to passionately advocate for bilingual education. For these reasons, MANA is honored to establish the Gloria Rosas Teacher Education Scholarship.

Eva Garza Dewaelsche Community Scholarship

Eva Garza Dewaelsche established this scholarship as a way to give back to the community that she has served throughout her professional life. Eva supports the academic and career goals of young Latinas seeking a degree or professional certificate in the fields of Social Sciences, Social Work, Community Organizing, or Urban Planning.

2024 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

Laura Torres, Co-Chair
Marcia Mercado, Co-Chair
Maria Flores

Erminia Ramirez
Ninfa Cancel
Alicia Juarez

Diana Ortega, Co-Chair
Maria Khan, Co-Chair
Sandra Valle-Holdwick
Elsa Calleja
Dr. Vanessa Reynolds

Eva G.Dewaelsche
Ana Sandoval
Eva Torres
Belda Garza

Mari Quesada, Co-Chair
Belda Garza, Co-Chair
Tanya Caruana
Ines de Jesus

Nora Rodriguez
Tami Arreguin
Elizabeth Gonzalez
Eliana Quesada

Myrna Mendez, Co-Chair
Jonelle Lopez, Co-Chair
San Juanita Barajas
Daniela Garibay
Alejandra Padilla-Miguel

Melanie Calvillo
Laura Chavez Wazeerud-Din
Elizabeth Amezcua-Tepehua
Ana Gómez
Arely Aguirre-Pacheco

Ines de Jesus, Co-Chair
Rocio Contreras, Co-Chair
Ana Calandrino
Mary Carmen Muñoz

Helena Lazo
Sandra Valle-Holdwick
Dr. Sandra Gonzales
Cinthya Casillas