Hispanic School Grants

Although the Hispanic population in the United States has overtaken African Americans in terms of number, Hispanic attendance in colleges and universities across the country has not increased correspondingly as should be expected. Part of the problem is the lack of diversity in student population in these institutions, and this goes for both four-year and graduate programs.

In addition, studies have shown that Hispanics generally receive fewer scholarships and grant offers than other racial groups, and those that do go on to further education after high school simply settle for technical or two-year courses.

There are some signs that things may be taking a turn for the better however, with the recent 70% increase in the number of Hispanic students enrolling in college right after high school. Nevertheless, there remain a number of significant obstacles that stand in the way of many Hispanic students getting the education that they need. Aside from the lack of funds to pay for college, Hispanic students are also hindered by lack of support from family members and society in general.

In order to address the need for Hispanic students to overcome these societal and cultural challenges, the Sallie Mae Corporation, working in conjunction with the Hispanic College Fund, offers such students the “First in My Family” Scholarship Fund. This program is intended primarily for Hispanic students whose family members who have not received a college education.

Federal, State and Private Grants for Hispanic students
While there has been a gradual shift towards more favorable cultural attitudes with regard to Hispanic students going on to further education after high school, the lack of funds remains a significant stumbling block. In order to address this issue, numerous federal, state and private organizations have taken steps to promote the entry of Hispanics and other minority students into higher education. Some of the college grants that Hispanic students can apply for are described below.

1. The Pell Grant. This college grant is offered by the federal government, and it is ideally suited to Hispanic students that come from low-income families.

2. The Hispanic Nurses Association offers a number of grants and scholarships to Hispanic students interested in pursuing a career in medicine or health care after college, with the most prominent ones being the March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship program, the Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students program, and the Nursing Education Loan Repayment program.

3. The Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Professions offers financial assistance to educational institutions that provide degree programs for Hispanic students seeking health care education.

4. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute working in tandem with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund regularly issues a list of college grants available for Hispanic students. These programs are intended to address issues specific to these groups, as in the case with students returning to college after a lengthy absence, students working while in school, and students planning on continuing on to a 4-year college course upon completion of a 2-year program.

5. The Texas state government also offers grants to Hispanic students who wish to enroll in a four-year nursing program or a vocational nursing course.