Outreach Programs 

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education, has several outreach programs and publications that provide the community with direct access to information and tools necessary to navigate the college application and financial aid processes, as well as to support students currently enrolled in college. Since 2002, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund outreach team has delivered privately funded Town Hall Meetings and Steps for Success Saturday workshops to students and parents throughout the nation. These programs focus on increasing awareness about financial aid opportunities and the importance of a college education, as well as provide mentorship, support and inspiration for HSF Scholars and Hispanic students and their families across the country.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS 

Town Hall Meetings (THM): These meetings are bilingual, multi-media sessions where students and their families gain inspiration and information about the value and affordability of a college education. Curriculum in these two-hour evening programs covers the essentials of college preparation and financial aid. Participants are provided with supplemental materials in English and Spanish, to help them follow-through with college planning at home.  The material guides parents and students through the college-prep curriculum, the financial aid process, the steps involved in applying for scholarships, Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and includes Frequently Asked Questions related to admissions and financial aid.

Steps for Success Saturdays (S4S): A full day of hands-on specialized instruction, S4S offer a range of college preparation workshops for high school students and their parents. This unique approach utilizes community volunteers as college prep coaches and has a customized track of concurrent workshops for students in each grade level with parent workshops in Spanish. The curriculum covers intensive how-to instruction for the SAT or ACT; explaining the financial aid process; writing a personal essay for a college application and scholarships; and finding a college well-suited to the student’s educational background and interests. In addition to these programs designed for students, there is a separate, concurrent program for parents in Spanish.

Parental Engagement Program: Studies show that parental engagement is a key factor in keeping Latino students on track. The goal of the Parental Engagement Program (PEP) is to create positive systemic change for Latino students and parents in the American School System. The guiding principle of the program is to enhance communication between parents and teachers and increase the information flow between these two groups in order to affect greater student success. The program consists of a series of bilingual workshops covering topics on financial aid, scholarships, the U.S. educational system and connecting with school personnel.  Currently HSF collaborates with the Tiger Woods Learning Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to administer the Parent Engagement Program.

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STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAMS 

Scholar Chapters Network: With a lead $1 million grant from The Goldman Sachs Foundation, HSF established the HSF Scholar Chapter Network, a national initiative encouraging academic achievement among Hispanic students on college campuses. The HSF Scholar Chapters are official student groups on campuses of colleges and universities designed to promote academic excellence and build leadership skills. The program's goals are to advance the outstanding leadership and academic skills of HSF Scholars at the university level and to reinforce the pipeline of high school graduates attending select institutions and college graduates entering demanding professions. In addition, the initiative matches Hispanic students with HSF alumni and mentors through the HSF Mentoring Program. This program is designed to help HSF Scholars and Hispanic students’ transition from college to professional life, underscoring the program’s mission to continue to support students in achieving their career and leadership goals following graduation. There are currently 26 chapters located on campuses throughout the nation. 

HSF Alumni Network: With more than 30,000 alumni dispersed throughout the nation, HSF established the HSF Alumni Network to stimulate academic and professional support for current and past scholars. HSF connects alumni through newsletters and regional gatherings. Additionally, HSF has created the HSF Mentoring Program which pairs alumni with current Scholar Chapter members to aid in the students’ academic and professional development. Since its inception, nearly 600 matches have been made. 

HSF Celebrations of Achievement: These regional receptions are held to honor the accomplishments of HSF Scholars, while providing informal professional networking opportunities. Celebrations of Achievement also provide a vehicle to raise awareness in the local community about the opportunities HSF provides for Hispanic students. These events are held in various cities across the country where a significant presence of scholarship recipients live or work.  

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Click here for a schedule of events