Other Sources of Support for Hispanic Students
Concern about the obstacles that Hispanic students encounter has prompted a variety of organizations to lend them a hand. Their assistance concerns college admissions or financial aid. At many colleges and universities, Hispanic heritage is the basis for awarding scholarships or grants. Check with the school’s financial aid office about the availability of financial assistance allotted for Hispanic students.
Help with Admissions
National Hispanic Recognition Program
The National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) identifies talented Hispanic students based on their performance on the PSAT 10 or PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). Students who list their race as Hispanic/Latino on the PSAT answer sheet are automatically considered to be candidates for the program (self-nomination is an option). Students with test scores that make them eligible for recognition are contacted by the College Board. Those students must then apply for the award. Candidates are expected to have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher by the middle of their junior year. Although there is no financial award attached to the NHRP, “receiving this award can open doors for college admissions and increase scholarship opportunities.”
Financial Help
The price of a university education has always been an issue of substantial worry for families of college-age children. This is especially true for the Hispanic community in which the cost of a college education often prevents enrollment and/or completion of a degree. Several organizations exist that specifically offer financial assistance to Hispanic students. The dollar amounts of the awards and the number of awards typically is small. Recognition as a recipient of a competitive award, nonetheless, can bolster the student’s college application.
Hispanic students seeking financial aid should employ a two-headed approach that targets general aid (e.g., Pell Grants, National Merit Scholarship) and aid that is specifically designed to promote higher education within the Latino community. While scholarships are often tied to meritorious achievement, grant awards are more likely to be dispersed to students with some degree of financial need.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) was established by the White House in 1987 as an organization intended to identify and prepare Hispanic leaders in the classroom, community, and workforce. Since 1998, HHF has provided Youth Awards to Hispanic high school seniors who excel in the classroom. Recipients receive a one-time grant to help fund their college education. The Youth Awards program provides talent that is then prepared and positioned to participate in HHF’s Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) program. LOFT programs such as Code as a Second Language are intended to equip students for transitions from high school, to college, to graduate school, and into their careers.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
HACU serves as administrator of scholarship opportunities provided by its partners. Depending upon the terms of scholarship, the funds may be used to help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and other expenses. To be eligible for the scholarship, one must have completed at least one semester at an HACU member institution, intend to continue to attend an HACU institution during the coming academic year, and demonstrate financial need.
In conjunction with Southwest Airlines, HACU awards travel scholarships that provide roundtrip flights to undergraduate and graduate students across the country. Eligibility requirements include being enrolled at a college/university located at least 200 miles from a student’s home and the submission of required essays.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) awards more than $30 million in scholarships annually to academically qualified Hispanic graduating high school seniors and college students at accredited four-year colleges. The amount of the awards is based on the applicant’s total financial aid package. HSF also seeks to assist its Scholars in their course work and beyond. Scholar Support Services (e.g., mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training) and Career services (e.g., internship and job opportunities with HSF corporate partners) are also available to award recipients. HSF has prepared a very informative video about its funding and support services.