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For a group of Western Nevada College鈥檚 students there couldn鈥檛 be a better start to the new year. Financial Assistance at WNC is awarding scholarships and new laptop computers to up to 80 first-generation students this week as the start of the Spring 2024 Semester nears.

This exciting opportunity for first-gen students was created through a Nevada First Gen Network Microgrant and is a collaboration between Financial Assistance and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) First-Gen Network.

鈥淲e are pleased through our grant writing and expanding partnerships that we are finding additional ways to help our students become successful and overcome obstacles to be the best they can be in their academic and career pursuits,鈥� said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. "We greatly appreciate the efforts of the UNR First-Gen Network and our Financial Assistance team for making these educational enhancements possible for our students."

Students have embraced this generous opportunity. Forty-two students submitted an application to Financial Assistance in the first eight hours that it was open, and by Jan. 9, 100 first-generation students turned in an application.

鈥淣FGN is so happy to be partnering with WNC in providing laptops to first-gen students to help ensure their success in college,鈥� said NFGN Program Coordinator Gaylene Williams.

Scholarship awards began on Jan. 16 and laptops began being distributed to students on Jan. 18. Financial Assistance representatives will distribute laptops to first-generation students on the Fallon campus on Jan. 25.

WNC student Cristina Martinez was excited to receive an Acer laptop on Thursday, Jan. 18.

鈥淚t definitely is a big surprise,鈥� Martinez said. 鈥淚 grew up with one parent and two other kids in the family so it鈥檚 really nice to have people who are truly going to help me out.

鈥淭he laptop will definitely help me, especially not being able to afford one and having to use other people鈥檚 and my dad鈥檚.鈥�

In addition to the laptop and scholarship awards, the program has hired former WNC student Katie Zarate, now a student at UNR, to connect with awarded students throughout the spring semester to talk about challenges and keep connecting students to established campus resources.  

"WNC is thrilled to offer this opportunity to our students and very grateful to be awarded this microgrant from UNR's First-Gen Network. Receiving a brand-new laptop and an additional scholarship will help students overcome some of the financial and technological obstacles to being successful on their educational path," stated WNC Executive Director of Student Services JW Lazzari.

For more information about Financial Assistance at WNC, phone 775-445-3264 or email finaid1@wnc.edu.

Western Nevada College student government members, including Willy, and representatives of University of Nevada, Reno First-Gen Network display the Acer laptop computers that were presented to WNC first-generation students on Thursday. WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe also attended the event and met some of the recipients.