SCHOLARSHIPS
We provide financial support for students who wish to attend secondary school or university but lack the resources to do so. Recipients are chosen based on financial need, academic aptitude, and career aspirations. We prioritize students whose chosen fields will have a meaningful impact in their communities.
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Sponsoring a student is a life-changing opportunity to directly impact their future. Your support covers essential expenses such as tuition, books, uniforms, transportation, school supplies, field trips, and other necessary fees. In many cases, these costs are the primary barrier preventing students from continuing their education. By becoming a sponsor, you are not just funding an education—you are opening doors to opportunity, empowerment, and a brighter future for a student and their family.
Sponsorship Costs
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Primaria: $20 per month, covers uniforms, shoes, school supplies
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Basico: $50 per month, covers uniforms, shoes, school supplies, transportation and a one time purchase of a laptop computer.
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Diversificado: $75 per month, covers uniforms, shoes, supplies, transportation and fees.
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​Universidad: $125-200 per month (depending on major), covers living expenses and transportation.​​​​​​​​​​​
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Note: Costs can vary depending on the student's specific needs and location. Sponsorships ensure that students have the resources necessary to complete their education without financial barriers.
If you're interested in sponsoring a student or learning more, please contact us! Together, we can make education accessible and life-changing.
Future Students
Welcome to our scholarship page at Empowered Guatemala. We are an organization that believes in the power of education from grade school through university. We believe that all success grows from a love of reading and of curiosity. Our program is based in Chichicastenango, Guatemala and the majority of our sponsored students reside there. Our application window for the 2026 school year is closed but we will be accepting applications for the 2027 school year in July of 2026. If you are a student and are interested in applying for a scholarship, please contact us by email at
pattistewart@empoweredguatemala.org or
The program manager is Zila, our librarian in La Casita de los Libros Chichicastenango.
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The Process:
1) Complete an application.
2) Our board of directors reviews your application.
3) We choose the applicants that we feel are best suited to our program based on need and on previous academic success.
4) We will notify all accepted applicants by October 1, 2026.
5) We find sponsors for all of our accepted applicants. Each and every student in our program has a specific sponsor. At this time, we explain all the rules of the program and how each student is accountable for keeping receipts and keeping records of how the funds are spent.
6) We distribute scholarship funds to the students and their families in January and in June. In June, we have a meeting of all students and parents so that every family can sign a contract stating that they understand the rules.
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Rocío
This is Rocio. She is in her second year of básico at Instituto Tecnológico de la Universidad del Valle Altiplano in Sololá. She is a gifted student who was offered a scholarship to attend a private school to meet her goals and to help her fulfill her potential. Rocío is sponsored by Patti and JD Garbrecht.
Tomasa
Tomasa is a most charming young lady who is currently in her second year of básico. She is adorable with a great sense of humor! Patti and JD have been sponsoring her since she was just a wee niña and we have watched her grow up.
Current Students
Tansy
Tansy is a student in diversificado, the Guatemalan equivalent of high school. Patti and her husband have been sponsoring Tansy since her grade school years. We have watched her grow up and become a responsible young lady.
Glenda
Helen is in her final year of diversificado in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. She will be deciding on a major and a university to attend next year. She has learned the ancient art of weaving on a backstrap loom and enjoys sharing this craft with others.
Victoria
Victoria is in her very first year of primaria and is a brand new scholarship recipient of Empowered Guatemala. She is sponsored by Kate and Tim Layton.
Axel y Henry
Karen
Karen is in her first year of university studying to be an auditor. Patti has sponsored her for the last 5+ years. She is kind, very smart and will no doubt be a successful auditor when she graduates.
Joselin
Joselin is in her first year of básico. She is a funny, lively and smart girl who enjoys having fun with her friends. Patti and JD have sponsored her for 5+ years and we have watched her grow from a giddy little girl to a beautiful young lady.
Lucia
Lucia is in her final year of university to be a teacher. She has been sponsored by Patti and JD for the past three years. She will be the first of her family to attend or complete university and we are very proud of her success.
Sandra y Luis
Sandra is in her second year of university and is studying accounting. Tomás recently completed diversificado and is taking a year off to consider what he would like to study at university. They are siblings who are sponsored by Regi and John.
Juan Carlos
Juan Carlos is a first year university student studying systems engineering. He is a very bright student who is fulfilling a life long dream. He is sponsored by Mary Kay and Dennis.
Helen e Emanuel
Helen has been sponsored by Patti and JD for 5+ years and Emmanuel for 3 years. They are siblings. Helen is in her first year of diversificado and Emanuel is in his 2nd year of Básico. They are both very kind and intelligent and both are looking forward to completing their education through university.
Karla
Karla is a second year básico student. She has been a member of Patti's original crew for 5+ years. She is a bright student who enjoys reading and taking English classes at La Casita de los Libros.
Genesis
Genesis is the younger sister of Karla and is one of our few primaria students. She is sponsored by Patti and JD Garbrecht.
William
William is our only student who lives outside of Chichicastenango. He is sponsored by the organization as a whole because of his immense talent and promise. He won first place in the Guatemalan science fair and is pictured below with the vice president of Guatemala.
Maria
Maria is a brand new student who is in her third year of Básico. She is sponsored by LeeAnn Allgood and family.
Contact Us
Telephone: 760-794-9251
Email: empoweredguatemala@gmail.com