ADELANTE ESTUDIANTE
FAQ FOR SPONSORS
HOW ARE STUDENTS PUT ON THE LIST?
Castaway Kids has bilingual liaisons who work closely with social workers at the public schools within the greater Guaymas area. The school counselors refer academically high-achieving students from low-income families to our liaisons. The liaisons then work with the students to put together applications explaining their family income, living situation, and their academic and other interests. When complete, the liaison forwards the applications to our Castaway Kids student coordinator. Other students become aware of our program through the Internet or word of mouth.
The applications are reviewed and all students from famlies who meet a low-income threshold, and have at least an 8 out of 10 grade point average are welcomed onto the eligible-student waiting list.
HOW MUCH IS MY DONATION AND WHAT DOES IT COVER?
The donation amount and what it covers varies depending on your student’s level in school.
Primaria (grades 1 – 6) and Secondaria (grades 7 – 9): A donation of $250 USD covers the annual cost of uniforms, shoes, and school supplies. Public primaria and secondaria schools do not charge tuition.
Preparatoria (grades 10 – 12): A donation of $500 USD covers the annual cost of uniforms, shoes, and school supplies, plus the additional cost of tuition. Public preparatoria schools charge tuition.
Universidad: A donation of $1,000 USD covers tuition and fees for one school year.
Actual costs can vary from year to year depending on the exchange rate and tuition cost.
HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY STUDENT GETS THE FUNDS I DONATE?
One hundred percent of your donation goes to the student you selected for sponsorship. We set up an account in your student’s name and charge your student’s expenses to that account. At least once a year we will send a copy of the accounting to you.
DO STUDENTS GET CASH PAYMENTS?
Cash is not given directly to the students. Instead, we give them vouchers that they can redeem at specific school-supply vendors in Guaymas. Castaway Kids has agreements with specific stores and they help us monitor to make sure the vouchers are spent on the intended students. We pay tuition directly to schools.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY ENTIRE DONATION IS NOT SPENT?
If funds remain from year to year, they will be carried over into your student’s account for the following year. Your requested annual donation will be adjusted accordingly. We try not to overestimate the amount of funds requested each year. However, it can happen that funds remain after a student graduates. We do not give refunds, but we will contact you to see if you have any preferences for how to apply the remaining funds to other Castaway Kids students or projects.
DO I HAVE TO SPONSOR THE STUDENT I SELECT THROUGHOUT THEIR ACADEMIC CAREER?
We strongly encourage you to support your student throughout his or her academic career. Most of our sponsors stay through to graduation. However, it is not required.
Costs will increase if your student progresses from secondaria to prepatoria, or prepatoria to universidad. We assume that you will sponsor your student as long as the annual cost does not increase. We will ask you if you want to continue when your student graduates to a more expensive level. Many sponsors share the sponsorship costs with friends or family.
You can cancel sponsorship at any time. Please let us know as soon as possible if you decide to cancel so we can try to find another sponsor for your child. We might also suggest making a general donation to the Adelante Estudiante program instead of selecting a specific child for sponsorship if you can only donate for one year. One hundred percent of general donations to the Adelante Estudiante program go to students, some of whom have lost their sponsors.