Fil-Am student aspiring to become a nurse receives full-ride scholarship

PALM DESERT, Calif. – A Filipino American student who aspires to become a nurse has received a University Legacy Scholarship to cover her full tuition and fees for four years, school officials announced yesterday.

“With the University Legacy Scholarship, I am so much more financially free,” said Kimberly Justo, who graduated from Palm Desert High School in Palm Desert, California. “I feel encouraged as I pursue my goals of becoming a family nurse practitioner.”

The University Legacy Scholarship provides an opportunity for outstanding graduating high school seniors in the Coachella Valley to compete for an academic scholarship at Cal State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) Palm Desert Campus, according to CSUSB Palm Desert Campus spokesman Michael Singer.

“It was created for Coachella Valley students to realize just how accessible a college education is, thanks to the generous support of community members,” Singer said in a statement.

The four scholarship recipients – including Justo, Alessandra Ramos of La Quinta, Daniela Rodriguez of Indio and Lissbeth Vega of Desert Hot Springs – join a roster of more than 20 past recipients from the last six years, according to Singer.

They were selected based on their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community.

On LinkedIn, Justo has listed organizing, team leadership and volunteering as her top skills, and stated that Filipino is her native language.

Fil-Am student Kimberly Justo is one of four University Legacy Scholarship recipients. From left: Alessandra Ramos, Daniela Rodriguez, Kimberly Justo and Lissbeth Vega. Photo from CSUSB website

The scholarship program was established for graduates from the Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District and Palm Springs Unified School District.

Students who graduate from accredited private and online schools in the Coachella Valley are also eligible for the scholarship program.

Students interested in the next round of scholarships have until March 31 to submit their applications, a cover letter, unofficial copy of their high school transcript and two letters of recommendation, according to PDC officials.

More information about the scholarship program can be found here.