While overall college attendance fell between 2011 and 2012, a record 49% of Hispanic high school graduates aged 18-24 enrolled in college. There are now over 2.4 million Hispanic individuals in college, comprising over 16% of all students. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of Hispanic graduates has also increased significantly since the turn of the century.
Although 83% of Hispanic high school students want to attend college, a 2014 study by the American College Testing Program (ACT) found that less than 25% met three out of the four “ACT College Readiness Benchmarks.” By comparison, 39% of non-Hispanic students met that standard. Furthermore, only 62% of Hispanic students begin college in the fall after their high school graduation, compared to 71% of all graduates. Retention rates are also lower, with just 73% of students continuing into their sophomore year.
The University of North Georgia (UNG) strives to recruit Latino students. We are committed to the enrichment and graduation of Latino students at UNG. This is done by providing advising, support, advocacy, mentoring, academic support, and financial aid resources and guidance. We are interested in collaborating with other offices and departments on campus to develop partnerships focused on student learning, while also establishing an inclusive community that enhances the success of Latino students.
We are committed to assisting all students in finding resources needed to assist in paying for college.
Hispanic students interested in changing the educational landscape for their communities can research and learn about educational policies, communication tactics and outreach programs focused on the Hispanic community through the White House’s Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. The program allows undergraduate and graduate students to work alongside policy titans at the U.S. Department of Education while attending events on Capitol Hill, the White House, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian.
Many non-U.S. citizens qualify for federal student aid. Are you eligible? If you are eligible, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After submitting a FAFSA, these are the Next Steps.
For State Aid, HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship information is found at GAfutures.org.
Latino College Dollars: Provided by the Hispanic Scholarship fund, this helpful search engine allows students to find a variety of scholarships.
Hispanic Association of Scholarships and Universities: A curated list of scholarships and grants open to Hispanic students in a range of degree programs.
Hispanic Heritage: This nonprofit offers a database of scholarship information, available in both English and Spanish.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses: For Latino students aspiring to be nurses.
Association of Latino Professionals for America: ALPFA provides a number of resources for Hispanic students, including scholarships.
LULAC National Educational Service Centers: Created by the League of United Latin American Citizens, this foundation provides multiple scholarship programs for Latino students at all educational levels.
Adelante Fund: Part of the U.S. Education Leadership Fund, this foundation offers a variety of different scholarships to Hispanic students.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers a diverse range of scholarship programs.
Maldef The MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide is a free, informative resource guide for students, parents, and educators with an extensive list of scholarships, including many that do not inquire about immigration status.