Colorado Mountain College eNews

Scholarship to honor Yajko, longtime CEO of college foundation

As a result of the economic recession, financial aid administrators at Colorado Mountain College campuses are seeing more people who need to go to college – and more of them applying for financial aid.

“We have many students in the Summit County area who would love to pursue a college degree, but financially they are unable to,” said Dr. Dawn Zoni, student development counselor at Colorado Mountain College in Dillon.

Despite numerous scholarships and grants available through the college and the CMC Foundation, for some students financial barriers still exist. For instance, childcare or car repair expenses can interfere with a family’s ability to pay tuition. Traditionally, financial aid and scholarships do not cover those types of expenses indirectly related to getting an education.

To help meet some of the financial needs that can create unexpected roadblocks, the CMC Foundation has created a new No Barriers Fund that will be available on an emergency basis to student applicants from across the college district and Chaffee County. Unlike existing sources of financial support, the No Barriers Fund would be available year-round, starting this summer, with help available in as little as three business days.

The funds could be used for such needs as tuition, room and board, books, gasoline, rent, educational supplies, career clothes, heating bills, Internet access, medical necessities or exam fees.

“This is one more way in which we can try to meet that need for financial support, which is increasing rapidly,” said Natalie Torres, financial aid specialist at the college’s Spring Valley Center south of Glenwood Springs.

Colorado Mountain College’s financial aid specialists are seeing many students who have either postponed taking classes or are taking fewer classes because of financial difficulties.

Alison Limoges, who coordinates the annual fund at the CMC Foundation, said the No Barriers Fund was created for students at risk of dropping out due to an unforeseen crisis, a crisis that can be alleviated by a small amount of monetary assistance.

“We knew there were students out there who were falling through the cracks,” Limoges said. “After doing research on the needs of our students, given the current state of the economy, we decided to try to help in ways that annual scholarships can’t address.”

To help perpetuate the fund, recipients will be encouraged to pay back some or all of the money they receive, if and when they can, or to perform local community service to give back to others.

The fund is noteworthy for another reason in that it honors Alexandra Yajko, chief executive officer of the CMC Foundation, who will be retiring in July after 33 years of service to the college. During her 20 years as director of the foundation, Yajko has helped raise more than $33 million for college buildings, academic programs and scholarships.

“We wanted to build on Alex’s legacy and create something that is near and dear to her heart,” Limoges said.

Anyone who would like to donate to the fund in Yajko’s honor is encouraged to do so by June 30. To donate, or for more information, contact Limoges at 970-947-8380 or alimoges@coloradomtn.edu.