Oro Valley Rotary gives students a helping hand | News

The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) that assists students who want to further their vocational studies with financial grants. 

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for attending a credited vocational school are identified and recommended to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona by financial aid counselors in vocational education institutions and/or Rotarians and their clubs. 

The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona also meets Arizona’s Credit for Contributions to a Qualifying Charitable Organization requirement — The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona QCO Code is 20698.

Jeanie Morgan, a member of the Rotary Club of Mesa West and TRVFA board chair, said, “We need to aspire to greater levels of support with many more higher value grants so that TRVFA can make a forever difference in the lives of the increasing number of people who want to lift themselves and their dependents from a life of poverty.” 

The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona grants are for vocational students enrolled in qualified vocational programs (one or two years) and are AZ residents. 

Individual grants equal either $2,000 or $3,000. The higher amount is only available if it is to fund the final enrolment period of a two-year program.

The grant can be used for tuition and books, as well as for items needed in the student’s career field, such as uniforms or dental hygiene tools, which for most students are out of pocket expenses.

In the organization’s fiscal year (FY) 2023, 96 grants totaling $230,000 were awarded. Then in FY2024,164 grants totaling $311,347 were awarded. According to Morgan, “The fundraising goal each year has been $350,000, but that level of giving has not yet been achieved while the demand for grants has continued to increase. 

“The majority of donors are members of Arizona Rotary Clubs. We are actively looking for new donors and increased support from existing donors to help us keep pace with the increasing demands for qualified vocational education assistance.” 

The majority of The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona grants have gone to students wanting careers in nursing or other aspects of the medical field. One of this year’s The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona grant recipients, Claudia Coronado, is a single mother of four children, living and working in Marana. Coronado started her health information educational journey over a decade ago. Coronado works full-time in health services while attending school and raising her children. 

Over time, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Coronado to afford her educational expenses. 

Coronado enrolled in the Single Mom Scholars program through Interfaith Community Services (icstucson.org). She learned about The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona from Oro Valley Rotarian and TRVFA board member, Steve Witthoeft. 

As part of its self-sufficiency programs at ICS, Single Mom Scholars empowers low-income single moms to become successful college graduates by providing a network of support through financial assistance, practical services and a peer community.

Coronado will graduate in December with an associate of applied science degree in health information technology in medical billing and coding (MB&C). 

With the help of the The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona grant, Coronado can purchase the books required to study for her state certification exam, which is required to obtain a professional job in MB&C. 

“TRVFA has been a tremendous help because I don’t have to worry about where the money is going to come from for me to finish my education,” Coronado said.

“In the future, I would like to pay it forward to the Rotary and the community that has helped me to continue with my studies.”

Info: trvfa.org. Donations can also be mailed to: TRVFA, P.O. Box 14412, Scottsdale, AZ 85267.