For thousands of Latino teens in the United States, the dream of going to college can feel overwhelming: paperwork, scholarships, payments, exams, deadlines… and, many times, lack of information causes talented students to give up before trying. But the truth is that it can be done, and thousands of young Hispanics enter public universities, community colleges, private institutions and technical programs each year with significant financial support.
If you, your child or a family member is starting down this path, here is a clear and straightforward guide to understanding what to do, when to do it and how to pay for college, regardless of whether anyone at home has gone through this process before.
1. Understands the difference between “college,” “community college,” and “university” 2.
It is basic so as not to confuse you:
Community College: 2-year programs (Associate Degree). More economical. Ideal to start and then transfer to a 4-year university.
4-year College / University: Bachelor’s Degree type programs. Costs more, but has more resources, student life and academic possibilities.
Technical or vocational programs: Short careers oriented to high-paying trades: nursing, mechanics, HVAC, technology, cosmetology, etc.
Knowing this helps you decide which path best suits your budget and goals.
2. Create a list of universities from ninth or tenth grade.
Many Latino students get a late start in this process, but ideally:
Make a list of 6 to 12 colleges from 9th or 10th grade.
Include:
3 “achievable” (with high probabilities)
3 “competitive
3 “dream” (more difficult, but possible)
Visiting sites such as BigFuture, Niche, College Board and College Navigator help you compare scholarships, costs and requirements.
Maintain good grades and participate in activities
The universities consider:
GPA
Advanced Placement (AP, Honors, Dual Enrollment)
Participation in clubs, sports or volunteering
Letters of recommendation
Personal essays
Latino students stand out tremendously when they tell authentic stories of family effort, work, migration or community service.
4. Don’t skip the SAT or ACT
In 2025, many universities have again asked for exams.
And even though they are not mandatory, having a good score gives you access to scholarships.
Quick tips:
Study for free at Khan Academy.
Take the test 2 to 3 times.
A high score can be worth thousands of dollars in merit scholarships.
5. The most important part: filling out the FAFSA and the state application.
All students must complete the FAFSA (federal aid), which opens in October of each year.
The FAFSA can give you:
Federal grants
State aid (Pell Grant, Cal Grant, etc.)
Student loans (optional)
Work-Study (on-campus work)
If the student is undocumented or has DACA, he/she must complete alternative state aid, such as:
California Dream Act
TASFA (Texas)
Programs for non-citizens in blue states
6. College for Hispanics: How to pay without going into debt?
Real options for Latino families:
Pell Grant (up to more than $7,000 annually)
State scholarships
Private Scholarships: Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Coca-Cola Scholars, Dell Scholars, QuestBridge
Institutional scholarships (from the same university)
Working on campus with Work-Study
Community college the first 2 years
Many students end up paying less than 30% of the official cost thanks to these grants.
7. KEY dates every Latino should have in the fridge
October: FAFSA and state scholarships open
January-March: university applications
March-April: financial aid offers
May 1: final decision for 4-year universities
All year round: private scholarships
Filed under: College for Hispanics
