You’ve probably heard about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and may wonder if it’s too good to be true.
Well, let us tell you that it’s funded by a legit organization that offers opportunities to Hispanic students seeking higher education.
If it has caught your attention, keep reading and find out all the details about the available scholarships.
Let’s begin!
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HSF, an Essential Piece in Hispanic American Higher Education
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund was founded to empower students and parents with knowledge and resources to complete higher education successfully.
They provide support services and scholarships to as many exceptional students, scholars, and alumni of the Latino community in the United States as possible.
HSF focuses on making university education one of the most important priorities for families in the country, advising each one to achieve that goal.
That is why it has a lot of significance in students’ lives since it gives them all the necessary tools to continue their education.
It accompanies them in the process of student life, helping them to study, graduate, enter university, become professionals, and become mentors for the following generations.
It’s important to note that their services are not limited to students who are currently studying and about to graduate from high school.
Their contribution to education also includes assistance to parents, scholarship holders, and HSF alumni.
Read also: Unveiling Latino Student Success in Education
History of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The story of this not-for-profit organization began when Ernest Robles received educational benefits for serving as a U.S. Army Marine in the Korean War.
With that help, he built an academic career at the University of California, where earned a degree in U.S. history, and then at the University of Redlands, he received a master’s degree in education.
After working in Riverside for the U.S. Office of Education in 1975, he decided with his wife Dora to apply for a $30,000 second mortgage on their home to fund the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
Robles’ most significant objective when creating this organization was to bring together several Hispanic professionals and work on defined goals so that the foundation would grow in the direction he dreamed of.
His first major objective was for Hispanic students who were already in college to finish and graduate.
According to 1989 statistics, more than a third of Hispanic and Latin American students who enrolled in college dropped out later.
In the first eight years, the HSF was directed from Robles’ house, but as time passed, it grew and obtained financing from major corporations.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund has awarded $650 million in scholarships to more than 65,000 scholars of Latin American and Hispanic families.
In their mission and vision, we can find the objectives, goals, and support they wish to provide to the Hispanic community:
Mission
HSF empowers students and parents with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing support services and scholarships to as many exceptional students, HSF Scholars, and Alumni as possible.
Vision
Hispanics are a highly educated and influential community of courageous leaders, thriving and positively shaping all areas of a strong American society, from science and technology to entertainment, from finance to government.
The people participating in this new American society have been personally touched by the outstanding work of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
HSF stands strong as the leading and most reputable non-profit organization in the U.S. Its strategies and operating model are the best practices others try to emulate.
The unsung heroes who powered this organization to such a high level of performance, impact, and prominence are respected and highly-sought-after role models.
As a result, the state of our Union is stronger than ever, our future is brighter than ever, and America’s global leadership position is self-evident.
What Type of Programs HSF Offers and How to Apply
Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers a variety of programs, scholarships for Latino students, and scholar support services for their families.
Below, we detailed some of those programs and scholarships available and what you should take into account to apply.
Programs
The programs available are meetings, workshops, or small conferences that serve as a guide for students and families who will soon begin the process of going to college.
One of them is College 101, a two-hour workshop for high school students and their families where they can identify and discuss the steps necessary to plan a college education.
The workshops are entirely free and in a bilingual format. Some of the topics discussed include college payment plans, how to apply for scholarships, and how to look for financial aid opportunities.
They also have College Camp, a noonday with college preparation workshops for middle and high school students and their parents.
Some topics discussed at College Camp are how to prepare to apply to colleges, choosing the college that is best for me, writing a personal statement, the real cost of a college education, scholarships, financial aid, etc.
And lastly, they have the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) program.
This is a four-day, overnight college empowerment conference for Hispanic high school juniors selected through an application process.
Attendees strengthen their leadership skills and expand their professional networks by participating in college career workshops, living on campus, and interacting with college students and mentors.
Get more details on HSF Programs here.
Scholarship
The HSF Scholar helps Latino students obtain all the knowledge and tools necessary to get a college degree.
The scholarship funding can provide awards ranging from $500 to $5,000, depending on each applicant’s case.
They also offer over 150 types of scholarships for students with diverse interests and abilities. These awards can be used for tuition, books, room and board, supplies, transportation, etc.
Scholars are selected based on merit, and some of the requirements are: be of Hispanic heritage, U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident or DACA recipient, and have a minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for high school students.
To apply, you must create a profile on the HSF web, fill out the application, and submit your completed FAFSA and SAR.
Also, you must write down and submit an essay describing your goals, values, and strengths. Submit your high school transcripts and letter of recommendation by a teacher, advisor, or professor, among other documents.
If accepted, Latino scholars receive invaluable Scholar Support Services such as career services, mentorship, leadership development, and wellness training.
For example, career services include applying for internships and job opportunities with the HSF corporate partners.
They can also apply to scholarly conferences and summits in subjects like entertainment, finance, STEM, entrepreneurship, and health.
Check the Hispanic Scholarship Fund website to review the application deadline each year and learn more about the requirements and steps.
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Why Institutions Should Support Hispanic Students
We know that the number of students with a Hispanic background who are about to enter university is growing increasingly in the United States.
However, there is still a long way to go before the percentage of Latino students who finish college and graduate grows.
That is why it’s so important that institutions like the Hispanic Scholarship Fund exist. They directly support a group of students who, for social, personal, family, and economic reasons, stop studying.
The existence of these institutions manages to reduce the academic uncertainty of students and parents since they increase the access and educational success of the Latino population in the U.S.
Although they have an economic disadvantage due to being a not-for-profit organization, they’re engines that lead millions of students to academic and professional success.
These institutions also support the non-academic development of Latino students, such as positive academic self-concept, leadership identity, racial identity, graduate school aspirations, and social justice.
Additionally, they have a crucial role in Latino student attainment rates, and by helping them alleviate their educational needs, academic outcomes will increase.
You will see higher rates of STEM degree completion and better labor market outcomes, especially in this era where technology and engineering are becoming very important.
Students need an educational experience on campus where they feel like they belong because it means their culture matters and is valued in the academic field.
Editor’s pick: Are Bilingual Students Smarter?
Give Back to Your Community by Applying to the HSF
Now that you know that the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is legit, start preparing to follow the application process and be one of the winners of its awards.
Show that your heritage is a valuable characteristic and that, together with your academic skills, you have many opportunities to be the next HSF Scholar.
Take advantage of this financial aid to achieve your academic goals and help your community through what you learn at university and your professional experience.
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