COSI Finish What You Started Grant has Huge Impact on Otero Students

Description: The COSI Finish What You Started Grant still has some funding available. Pictured are a few of the students who have been awarded some of these funds and shared their success stories. Top: Natasha Gutierrez, Daniel Chapa. Bottom (l-r): Amanda Alarid, Kristy Dalton, and Mollie Miketa.

COSI Finish What You Started Grant has Huge Impact on Otero Students

LA JUNTA — In late 2021, Otero College received a grant that helps students return to school to complete the degree they started. The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) launched Finish What You Started (FWYS), a program providing wraparound support services to obtain college credentials or degrees.

Otero College received almost half a million dollars to be used through spring of 2024 for scholarship awards to qualifying recipients. If you have ‘Some College, No Degree” you may qualify to receive some of this money.

FWYS can provide students with financial assistance and support services. The academic financial assistance can be used for tuition, books and other costs associated with enrollment. It can also provide non-academic financial assistance. The scholarship funds can be used for the costs of everyday living. Ex. Travel, daycare, utility, rent expenses. The support services include one-on-one guidance and tutoring to assist with academic challenges. It can also help locate resources the student may need, either at Otero, or in the community. Ex. Mental health services, transportation services, food banks.

Jane Wheeler, Success Coordinator of FWYS, commented, “We have graduated 19 students so far through this program and another seven will graduate this summer. We are able to focus our efforts on each individual student due to smaller class sizes and the myriad of support services available on campus. We have been able to connect returning students with academic and social groups that help them excel, not only academically but personally as well. It is my passion to help the students find their story and use it to the best of their ability while they are at Otero College.”

Each student that comes through the doors at Otero has their own unique story, a few of them were gracious enough to share their stories with us.

Natasha Gutierrez is a first-generation student at Otero College. Life has served her with ups and downs and the “Finish What You Started Program” has provided a helping hand in her life.

Natasha shared, “I went from being homeless and hopeless for years to hopeful and thriving. I am thankful to those who create opportunities for those like me. I hope to help others believe that anything is possible. This program has provided me with motivation and mentor support as I strive to create a better tomorrow for myself and my children, and for that I am grateful.”

Amanda McKenzie is another student who was able to be a part of the FWYS program. She originally started college in 2004 when she graduated from high school. She got married at a young age and had a son. She had wanted to be a nurse for her entire life, but when her son was born, he became her sole focus.

Amanda said, “I started working as a sales manager and then I got divorced and had to support myself so I could not go back to school. I just needed to work to provide for my son and myself. When Covid happened, I lost my job of 10 years and was devastated, but when life hands you lemons you make lemonade. Losing my job allowed me to start over and pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. It was a blessing in disguise. It has had many challenges like working full-time and going to school full-time, but it has been worth all the sacrifices. This scholarship has been amazing and helped me pay bills while being in school full time. Advice I would give to other students thinking about going back is ‘do it, don’t hesitate, it will be worth it in the long run’.”

Kristy Dalton first went to college when she was 18 years old and fresh out of high school. She had a new baby at home, and it wasn’t good timing for her. She then tried going back again in her late 20’s after a difficult divorce with two small children at home but she needed to work to support her family. When her youngest son started his senior year in high school she told herself, “When he is done, it is my turn, and I am going to finish my nursing degree.”

Kristy told us, “In the fall of 2019, I went back to school and started this four year journey. I came to Otero in the Fall of 2021. I chose Otero because they offered a non-traditional program where I could work and come to school at night and on the weekends. I heard about the Finish What You Started program from one of my instructors, and looked into it and it has helped me be able to finally finish what I started 30 years ago. It has given me the extra money I needed to be able to not have to worry so much about my bills and place my focus on my education goals. The biggest challenge for me has just been balancing work and school. Nursing school is hard, and you must have a lot of dedication to complete this program. My biggest success is knowing that I am going to finally have an RN behind my name after wanting this my entire life. I would tell anyone thinking about going back to college “DO IT” I have never been so proud of myself!”

Mollie Miketa started college right out of high school in 2016. She took a break because she realized she wasn't sure what she wanted to do with her life. In spring 2019 she found the path she believes she’s supposed to be on. Nursing. She started with prerequisite courses at Pueblo Community College. In 2020, she applied to Otero College Nursing and months later she was accepted into the program. Before the fall semester, she received a call from Jane Wheeler saying she was a candidate for the Finish What You Started Grant.

Mollie stated, “This had been such a blessing throughout my journey to finishing my degree because it has helped tremendously with my paying off my tuition and delaying having to take out another loan. The biggest challenge in going back to school is time management. I have to juggle driving back and forth to school, balancing work and home life, all while trying to find time to study. The advice I would give to a student trying to return to college is go for it! Don't talk yourself out of it or make excuses, just apply! Be dedicated, have a good support system, and talk to an advisor for resources that may be available to you!”

Daniel Chapa was born in San Antonio, TX. He moved to Colorado and first attended, then, OJC in the fall of 2012.

Daniel shared, “After a few rough semesters I was done with school and thought it was done with me. Almost ten years later thanks to the “Finish What You Started grant” as well as other financial aid I am back in school and hoping to get into the nursing program this fall and finish what I started at Otero College.”

During her tenure at Otero, Jane has seen success for most of her students. Some have transferred to 4-year schools, some have completed certificates and gone into the work force and launch fulfilling careers. Students that previously had low GPAs have all increased them. She teaches that students do not have to give up their priorities, be it their families, jobs, or hobbies, they just need to commit to finish what they started.

For any questions about the COSI: Finish what you started grant, please contact Jane Wheeler at 719-384-6802 or email Jane.Wheeler@otero.edu.

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