Art Institute Scholarships Help IE Residents Follow Their Dreams

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) It might be the dog days of summer, but it is time for many young people to start thinking about how to pay for college in the fall.

Recognizing that many Inland Empire residents are the first in their families to go to college, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (http://www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire) has awarded $130,000 in scholarships for undergraduate degrees. Thirteen area students will receive the awards.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, located in San Bernardino, is a private university, which offers degrees in creative careers such as graphic design, interior design, culinary arts, culinary management, interactive media design, media arts & animation and game art & design.

“The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire feels that if people have the talent and drive, then paying for education should not be an obstacle,” said President Byron Chung. “The scholarships will help many Inland Empire residents receive an education that can help them pursue careers that they love.”

Chung said the scholarships include awards of $15,000 - 5,000 and 50 percent tuition reductions. The scholarships can only be used for tuition at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

Lizeth Talavera-Benitez of Phelan, a recipient of two scholarships, said the awards covers half of her tuition for the first year of college. “It meant a lot to me,” said Talavera-Benitez, who is the first in her family to go to college. “My parents didn’t have much money to pay for college.”

“I was really excited when I found out I got the scholarship,” she said. “My parents are happy too.”

Talavera-Benitez said the scholarship award goes a long way to helping her pursue her dream of owning her own restaurant. She also received a scholarship for winning The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef local competition. The Art Institutes organizes the contest, which is a showcase for local budding chefs.

Phillip Bosco, a graduate of Faith Community Christian School in Victorville, said his $10,000 scholarship will go a long way to paying back student loans. “It really takes a big load off,” he said. “The scholarship works out to be several months, if not a year, of loan payments.”

Bosco plans to study media arts & animation at The Art Institute of California- Inland Empire. He said the major can open doors to a job as a 3-D forensic artist for crime investigations, a special effects artist or a storyboard artist.

Bosco says his future plan is to work in visual effects, in the movie industry, and eventually direct his own films. “I’ve always had a passion for film and directing,” he said.

For more information about The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or (800) 353-0812.

Scholarship recipients:
Winners name City Scholarship Amount
1. Lizeth Talavera-Benitez Phelan $15,000 1st $ 3,000 1st
2. Logan Feliciano Pomona $15,000 1st
3. Jacob Webber Grand Terrace $10,000 2nd
4. John Escobar Colton $15,000 1st
5. Matthew Morales Redlands $10,000 2nd
6. Amanda Kibler Victorville $15,000 1st
7. Allison Williams Alta Loma $10,000 2nd
8. LaTosha Banks Rialto $10,000 1st
9. Ryan Wardlow Upland $10,000 1st
10. Jonathan Ortiz Banning $5,000 2nd
11. Philip Bosco Victorville $10,000 1st
12. Daniel Gonzalez Garden Grove $3,000
13. Therisa Anderson Moreno Valley $2,000