As a result of support from the Hispanic Chamber, the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), Meyer Memorial Trust, and individual donors, the Latino Scholarship Program was established as an endowment at OCF to provide a long-term source of college scholarships for Latino students.
2021 Scholarship Application Now Open
Deadline: January 31, 2021
2020 Scholarship Recipients
Due to the current health situation the Hispanic Chamber has taken this year’s annual scholarship ceremony to its online platforms. We would like to acknowledge our Keynote Speaker, Danna Diaz, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools for Reynolds School District for her inspiring address to our students and our event sponsor Prosper Portland for their support of our virtual award ceremony. We would also like to congratulate our scholarship recipients and thank our donors.
The Statistics
Latinos now represent 12% of our state population, that is a 72% increase since the year 2,000! As the Latino population increases in Oregon, education remains a key issue. Nationally and locally, Latinos have the highest drop out rate. In Oregon, 13% of Latino students leave high school compared to 6.3% for all Oregonians.
21% Of Latino adults in Oregon (25 and over) have earned an associate degree or higher vs 41% of all adults in Oregon. An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education identifies family income as a major obstacle to Hispanic college success.
Latino students in Oregon have a 42% graduation rate vs 48% for White students, that is a 6% equity gap. Today, one of every four new workers entering the labor force is Hispanic. An educated Latino population is fundamental to the future productivity of our local and national economy. For this reason, the Hispanic Chamber has chosen to support Latino students that are breaking down barriers and pursuing a higher education.
Donations Make A Difference
To provide support and encourage Latino students to continue their higher education, The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber provides annual scholarship awards to qualifying applicants. Since 1996, the Hispanic Chamber has awarded $2.2 million in individually and corporate-sponsored scholarships, to 899 Latino students throughout Oregon and SW Washington.
The Hispanic Chamber is a 501c3, non-profit organization.
Federal identification number: 93-1156358.
100% of your donation will go directly to supporting a Latino scholarship recipient in Oregon and SW Washington.
General Requirements
- Applicant must be of Hispanic ancestry, permanently residing in Oregon or Clark County, Washington
- Applicant must be currently attending a high school in Oregon or Clark County, Washington or have attended a high school in Oregon OR Clark County, Washington and currently enrolled in an accredited college.
- Applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA as evidenced by a high school or college transcript.
- Applicants will be evaluated on academics, extra-curricular activities, community service, written essays and letters of recommendation.
- Applicant must be enrolled by September 2020 in an accredited community college, 4-year college or university, or an accredited graduate degree program
College Aid Links
The good folks at the Chamber have taken some time to gather a wide array of useful resources for prospective college students. Take a look at what we have listed and let us know of any resources that we should add to the list.
- ACT Testing: Offer comprehensive assessment, research, information, and program management services to support education and workforce development.
- ASPIRE Scholarship: OSAC website
- American Council on Education: Most visible and influential higher education association.
- Beauty School Directory: The web’s largest directory of beauty schools.
- Best Colleges: Financial Aid Opportunities for Hispanic and Latino Students
- Best Value Schools: Some of the best scholarships available, by state, for both incoming college students and those already enrolled.
- Broke Scholar: A scholarship search program with a database of more than 650,000 scholarships.
- Casa de Oregon
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program: Achievement and leadership-based scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
- College Board Online: An online resource to connect students to college success and opportunity.
- College Universities: Find colleges and trade schools nationwide. Receive scholarship information and research.
- College and Career Search: College and Career Search is a website called Study.com that has online courses and video lessons.
- EduBirdie: Financial Aid for Minorities
- EduBirdie: Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students
- FAFSA on the Web: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- Fastweb: Online scholarship resource
- Financial Aid Page: A student guide to financial aid
- Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities: Resources for DACA/DREAMers
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Online resources to help prepare, plan and pay for college
- Hispanic Scholarship Listing: Online scholarship search program
- MALDEF: Scholarship resource guide for high school, college and graduate students.
- Mapping Your Future! An online resource for students, families and schools to help navigate higher education and student loan process.
- Military Officers Association of America: Scholarship fund for military officers and their families.
- NALEO Educational Fund: Facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.
- Online Schools: Oregon: Extensive database of accredited online schools in Oregon and Nationwide.
- Oregon Health & Science University: Oregon’s academic health center
- Oregon Student Assistance Commission: State agency assisting Oregonians in their pursuit of a college education.
- Pride Foundation Scholarship: Scholarships for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Northwest.
- SAT Testing: Resource to prepare for the most widely used admission test
- Sallie Mae College Answer: College savings plans
- Sallie Mae Fund: Educational and Financial Resource
- Scholarship America: Scholarship and educational support
- Scholarships.com: Free scholarship and financial aid search
- Schools in the USA: Assistance in exploring selected colleges and university programs across the US.
- Student Debt: Debt help organization
- Student Loan Hero: 9 Incredibly Useful Scholarships for Latinos
- Student Loan Network
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Established in 1999, a program for low-income students of color.
- The Dream. US: National Scholarship as the “Pell Grant” for highly motivated DREAMers with significant, unmet financial need.
- U.S. Bank: Student banking center
- U.S. Department of Education: Database on American schools, financial and educational assistance
- Western Union Foundation: Financial support to help achieve educational goals.
- World Wide Learn: An education and career research program.
Resources for prospective college students
- College Scholarships for Online Students: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/online-degrees/scholarships-for-online-students/
- Ultimate Guide to College Admissions: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/college-admissions/
- Tips on Choosing a Major: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/choosing-a-major/
- Financial Aid and Scholarships for Students: https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/financial-aid/
- Guide to Visiting and Choosing a College: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/visiting-colleges/
- Complete List of College Cost Calculators: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/financial-aid/college-calculators/
- Guide to Graduating Debt-Free: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/graduating-debt-free/