Since 1996 — Rio Grande Valley, Texas

First in their familyto finish college.

For nearly thirty years, VAMOS has paired renewable scholarships with practical mentorship for students from the Valley. Scholars get support for college costs and someone checking in as they work toward graduation.

VAMOS Scholarship recipients celebrating at the 2025 banquet
June 2025 - 29th Banquet
$1,000,000
awarded to 63 scholars in one night

In partnership with

Chick-fil-A RGVDHR HealthH-E-BLone Star National BankUTRGVHispanic Scholarship FundLexus

The Impact

More than 1,400
students supported so far.

The numbers matter, but the work is personal: a tuition gap covered, a mentor's call returned, a student choosing the next semester instead of stepping away.

$26M+
Awarded in scholarships
since our founding in 1996
1,400+
Students funded
across three Valley counties
96%
Graduation rate
well above the national first-gen average
30
Years of service
to the Rio Grande Valley

From a VAMOS Alumnus

"The scholarship paid for school, but the part that stuck with me was knowing a group of people back home believed I could finish. I didn't want to let them down."
Dr. Lauro Tijerina  ·  VAMOS '09  ·  Tijerina Family Dentistry

Our Story

It started with a few
Valley leaders in 1996.

Alonzo Cantú was the first in his own family to finish college. In 1996 he invited a group of Valley business leaders to his home in McAllen. NAFTA had just passed, the region was changing fast, and he was convinced the Valley needed more local students earning college degrees.

Thirty years later, more than 1,400 students have gone to college with VAMOS behind them. A lot of them are still part of the same network they joined as scholars.

Read the full story
2025 VAMOS Scholarship Banquet
Scholars at the VAMOS Banquet
VAMOS Scholars community
VAMOS celebration

Our Partners

Built by the Valley,
for the Valley.

Become a Sponsor →
Presenting Sponsor
Community Partners

Support a Scholar

Where your gift
helps most.

A scholarship can be the difference between pausing school and registering for the next semester. Your gift helps cover real costs while VAMOS keeps scholars connected to support.

1
100% to scholars
Operating costs covered separately by board & events.
2
Tax-deductible
VAMOS is a registered 501(c) nonprofit.
3
96% graduate
We stay with scholars until they finish.

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