ITA scholars, like all students at UFM, are expected to be top performers academically.

In Spanish, the acronym ITA stands for
“promoting academic talent.”

For Guatemala’s poor, especially those in remote areas, just the chance to attend school is a hard-won opportunity. More often than not, high school takes a backseat to the pressing need to contribute to the family income. And for even the most talented students who do graduate high school, a university education usually remains out of reach.

ITA was designed with these students in mind.

Since 1996, the ITA Scholarship Program at Universidad Francisco Marroquín has identified talented, highly motivated students from low-income backgrounds and provided them with the support necessary to complete their undergraduate studies. Initially focused on economics, political science, and law, the program now also supports students enrolled in the School of Economic Sciences, Political Science, the School of Film and Visual Arts, Nutrition, Psychology, the Michael Polanyi College, and Law. All funding for the program comes from private donations.

The scholarship covers full tuition and fees, room and board, medical insurance, and a stipend for public transportation, books, and basic personal expenses.