Mexican consul gives $70K for UNM scholarships

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​UNM announced today that it has received $70,000 from the Mexican consul to support scholarships for students of Mexican origin.

Andy Beale

Digital Producer- Albuquerque Business First

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The University of New Mexico announced today that it has received $70,000 from the Mexican consul to support scholarships for students of Mexican origin. The money will be matched by the UNM Foundation.

The consul of Mexico in Albuquerque, Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de León, presented the check to UNM. University President Bob Frank said the consul is helping students who otherwise might not have the opportunity to get an education.

"Consul Ibarra is a great friend and partner to the University of New Mexico. We appreciate all he does for UNM and our students," he said.

Ibarra, in turn, credited Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto with increasing the funds to the IME Becas program, which provided the money for the scholarships.

"With the help of educational institutions, local governments and private businesses, the government of Mexico was able to quadruple the resources allocated to IME Becas. Therefore, around $4 million will be distributed between 180 educational institutions in the U.S., benefitting more than 12,000 students," he said.

UNM grad student and scholarship recipient Elizabet Cuna said she is grateful for the scholarships from IME Becas.

"It was important for me to know that the Mexican government supports us even though we do not live in Mexico," she said.

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