HMC PROGRAMS

Latino Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Hispanic Chamber has conducted annual fundraising to award scholarships to Latino students. To date we have awarded $2.95 million to over 1,100 students throughout Oregon and SW Washington.

The Hispanic Chamber has partnered with the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) by creating the Oregon Latino Scholarship Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. With OCF’s stewardship and long-term investment program, our endowment fund will be maintained in perpetuity to provide a stable stream of income that will support aspiring Latino students to complete their higher education.

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Scholarship Donors

2022 Scholarship Recipients

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (Hispanic Chamber) announced this year’s Latino Scholarship Program award winners. A total of $157,523 will be awarded to 54 students on May 13th, 2022, during the Chamber’s annual Scholarship Award Luncheon at the Oregon Convention Center, in Portland, Oregon.  State Representative Teresa Alonso León will provide the keynote address.

To date, the Hispanic Chamber has awarded over $2.95 million to 1,106 Hispanic students in Oregon and SW Washington. These scholarships are matched by public and private colleges and universities including Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Portland, Western Oregon University, George Fox University, Lewis & Clark College, Linfield University, Warner Pacific University, Whitman College, Willamette University, Clackamas Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Clark College.

The scholarship awards range from $6,000.00 to $2,000.00 and are the result of fundraising conducted by the Hispanic Chamber and direct contributions from individuals, private businesses, and organizations. All students selected have excellent academic achievements and substantial community involvement.

The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber’s mission is to advance Latino economic and community vitality through business development, leadership, education, and advocacy. The Latino Scholarship Program started in 1994 with a single scholarship donation.

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 2023 in an accredited community college, 4-year college or university, or an accredited graduate degree program

*First Generation Students &DACA recipients are encouraged to apply.

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.

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.

Resources for prospective college students

Participating Schools

The Portland State University logo includes intertwined letters P, S and U that represent the interconnectedness of the university to the city, region and world, and the words 'Portland State University'.

2023 HMC Scholarships

Application opening December 9th-January 22nd.

Scholarship APPLICATION

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.

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