College Guide for Latinx Students

This guide is designed to help Latinx students understand and navigate some of the more common challenges that may prevent them from earning their college degrees by highlighting resources that provide support. It also offers tips and advice for selecting the right college and applying for scholarships for Hispanics. Throughout, we'll offer expert insights from Sara Rivera, Assistant Director of the Latinx Student Cultural Center at Northeastern University.

What are common barriers that Latinx college students face?

The relatively low retention and graduation rate among Latinx college students has prompted many in higher education to research and identify some of the more common, often interrelated barriers to completing a degree. A better understanding of these obstacles can help students avoid these problems or find solutions if they encounter issues.

Economic Standing

In 2020, UnidosUS, the largest advocacy and civil rights organization for Hispanics in the U.S., published an in-depth study of 78 Latinx college students and their families. One of their findings indicated that students in this demographic were more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds, even though Hispanics as a whole have one of the highest workforce participation rates. Some study participants stated that stress over the cost of a college education was a significant factor in their decision to pursue a degree.

Sara Rivera of Northeastern University has witnessed this financial stress among Latinx students firsthand, and notes that it can be an emotionally tense issue. "If they were a source of income and now they're no longer that source of income, and they're not contributing to the family, there's a lot of guilt around that. Sometimes, they will leave and won't come back." Statistics from La Unidad Latina Foundation support Rivera's observation: Among those Latino college students who do not complete their degrees, 74% attribute that decision to the pressure to help support their families.

Feelings of Isolation and Homesickness

Several sources within the Latinx community suggest that many Hispanic students attending college for the first time feel there is no place for Latinos in higher education. Racism can be a factor in this feeling, and for some students, a language barrier can intensify these feelings of being excluded. Attending school virtually can also lead to a sense of isolation. For those students who go away to school, Rivera adds that it's not unusual for Latinx students, who often come from close-knit families, to miss their connections with parents, grandparents, and siblings, and they can feel extremely homesick toward the end of their first year in school.

Lack of Preparation for College

Many students start college unprepared for the new level of freedom and independence, and unaware of the extent to which they'll be responsible for their own education. Rivera says students are often surprised to discover that no one is monitoring their academic progress until they've fallen far behind and are put on academic probation. This is particularly true of students who attended high schools that lacked funding for resources. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds simply may not know that many colleges create programs to help students succeed because they have not had that experience in high school.

Being A First-Generation Student

The UnidosUS study also found that 70% of Latinx students are the first in their families to enroll in college, which can be another obstacle for some. In addition to feeling financial pressures, first-gen students generally don't have any role models or mentors within their families who can help them navigate college. Every step—from applying to a school to filling out the FAFSA form to registering for classes—is new to the student and everyone else in the family.

Being an Undocumented Student

In some cases, Latinx students are also undocumented, which presents a unique set of hurdles, including challenges in filling out forms and paying higher tuition fees.

Finding Resources and Support

At most colleges and universities, support and assistance for Hispanic and Latino students are available, but these resources are sometimes unfamiliar to students because they are not effectively publicized. Rivera recommends three useful steps to address this issue:

How to Choose a College

For every student, choosing the right college is so much more than simply finding a traditional or online program that teaches the subject they're interested in at a cost that fits their budget. It's also about finding a school that's the right fit. Rivera explains, "As a student, you're investing in your future, and you want to feel as comfortable in this space as possible. You want to feel that this space is a space that you feel welcomed in and that you feel safe in and that you feel that they want you there."

To determine which schools are the right fit, students need to investigate as many schools as they can. If visiting a school in person isn't a realistic option, students should try to participate in virtual tours, which have become more common in recent years. During school visits, Rivera says, students should be prepared to ask many questions about the atmosphere of a school. Follow-up questions can also be directed to representatives in a school's admissions office.

"Don't be afraid to ask tough questions," she advises. "What is the diversity, equity, and inclusion policy at your school? Do you have a Latinx center, and what percentage of the student body is Latinx? What is the sexual harassment policy at your school? What is the LGBTQ policy at your school? Do you have gender-inclusive bathrooms or gender-neutral bathrooms? Do you have a gender-inclusive dormitory? Whatever it is that is important to you in your identity or your educational growth, you need to ask about it at that institution. And if there's absolutely anything at all that you do not understand or that you disagree with, do not be afraid to push back and ask."

Latinx students may want to consider attending a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) either in person or online. To obtain this official designation from the U.S. Department of Education, HSI colleges and universities must show that at least 25% of full-time undergraduates are Hispanic, and they must actively serve this population. According to Excelencia in Education data, there are currently 569 HSIs concentrated across the Southwest and coastal states within the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and another 362 schools that have applied for HSI standing. Although the current number of HSIs represents only 18% of all higher educational institutions, they enroll 67% of Latinx students. Some of the HSIs that offer online degrees include New Mexico State University, Florida International University, West Texas A&M, and Concordia University-Chicago.

There are several other factors that may contribute to a student's ultimate choice between a two-year or four-year school and between an online or on-campus experience, but Rivera emphasizes that personal fit should be the primary factor. She says, "Don't get caught up on cost. Don't get caught up on community college, private, four-year, whatever. Don't get caught up on all of that. You just need to ensure you find whatever school is right for you. It may be a historically Black college or university. Who knows? You've got to feel that the school you choose is going to represent you and advocate for you."

Advice on Applying for Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financial aid is not limited to low-income students—all students are welcome to apply—and online and on-campus students are equally eligible for financial aid, as long as they're enrolled in an accredited college or university. Each year, hundreds of billions of dollars of financial aid are awarded to college enrollees across the U.S. In the 2019-2020 school year alone, financial aid dollars totaled $242 billion.

The Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) is the form students use to apply for all types of federal financial aid, such as Pell grants, and for most types of state- and school-sponsored aid. Filling out the application is admittedly a time-consuming process, but the prospect of receiving financial aid—especially grants and scholarships that students never need to pay back—is well worth the investment of time and effort. Rivera says she's surprised at the number of students who don't fill out the FAFSA because they assume they won't qualify. "It's free to fill out, and you might get some funding," she notes. Students who need assistance filling out the FAFSA application can request help from their high school or college financial aid counselors, and can find additional information on the FAFSA website.

For high school students who are considering going to college but know they will need some financial assistance, it's never too early to start positioning for scholarships. Awards are often based on need and merit, so scholarship sponsors look for applicants who are serious about their education, as demonstrated by earning relatively good grades, and who have been actively involved in their schools and communities.

Additional Resources

There are many non-profit organizations that exist to support minority groups as a whole, and some that provide assistance to Latinx college students and others involved in higher education specifically. Students might want to explore the following organizations:

• Excelencia in Education: The Excelencia advocacy group operates a number of programs and networking opportunities for Latinx college students. Membership in the organization also gives students access to informative research and other resources.
• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): Although HACU is directed toward educators employed at or associated with Hispanic-oriented institutions of higher education, the website provides valuable information for Hispanic students.
• Hispanic Heritage Foundation: Founded in 1987, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) celebrates the cultural pride of the Latino community. To fulfill its mission of assisting Latinos in helping other Latinos, the HHF operates a number of programs that prepare individuals for leadership positions in education, business, and communities of all types and sizes. This includes a Latino student fund that finances an array of college scholarships.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is more than a source for scholarships. Students who are selected for the HSF scholars program gain access to support services that help them navigate the college experience. Services include mentoring, wellness training, and job placement assistance.
• League of United Latin American Citizens: The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the U.S. Boasting more than 130,000 members, LULAC acts as an advocacy group for the economic condition, educational goals, political influence, and civil rights of all Hispanic Americans. College scholarships are just one of the organization's many community-based programs designed to support the Latinx community.