Hispanics and Higher Education AARP VIVA
Hispanics and Higher Education — AARP VIVA
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Fredrik Broden The upward generational trend toward higher education among Hispanics extends far beyond this family. Despite the soaring cost of college, Latinos, along with Asians and Pacific Islanders, have the fastest rate of increase in enrollment of all ethnic groups over the past three decades, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That's not surprising. As our economy grows more complex, schooling becomes more valuable. "Jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience," said President Barack Obama recently. And once you have that diploma, you'll earn more. "A person with a college degree," says Deborah Santiago of , a nonprofit organization that aims to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, "will earn over $1 million more in a lifetime than someone without a college education."
That's a key message for Hispanics. Despite the upward trend, just 19 percent of Latinos 25 and older — versus 35 percent of the general population — have an associate degree or higher. A Pew Hispanic Center study found that nearly three-quarters of Latinos who cut their education short during or right after high school said they did so to help support their family. But you can overcome the financial challenges. Next:
That’s certainly true for Saida Luciano-Ross, who initially started college when she was right out of high school but quit. “I just swayed away, got married, had children,” she says. Attending class in her late 40s to finally earn her bachelor’s degree in business was a whole different ballgame. “When I first went to school, I couldn’t relate to a lot of what I learned. When I went back after years of experience in the work world, everything became more real. It all made a lot more sense.”
Many two- and four-year schools offer special workshops for older adults that focus on the economic challenges of returning to school. Check out school websites or call the admissions offices to ask about such special programs, suggests René A. González of the .
Mine the Resources Don't be frightened by what you read about the skyrocketing price of college tuition, says Santiago. "Although some students pay full freight," she says, "many don't." Financial aid, especially for families of modest means, is often available through employers, schools and the government.
Hispanic College Fund has awarded nearly $15 million to 5,400 Latino students since 1993. In addition to the grants, averaging $3,500, the fund offers many free educational programs. 800-644-4223,
Hispanic Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $300 million in scholarships over the past 35 years in programs aimed at graduating seniors, community college transfers and others. 1-877-HSF-INFO, Saida Luciano-Ross's associate degree was funded by a grant from her previous employer, an aerospace company, part of a severance package when she was laid off in 2007 from her job in quality assurance. A federal Pell Grant helped finance her bachelor's degree. Veronica's BS was funded in part by a $20,000-a-year need-based scholarship from her university. Roberto also received a $3,000-a-year federal Pell Grant. "Especially with my mother and brother in school at the same time, money was a big issue for us," says Veronica. "The scholarship allowed me to pursue my degree without too much financial stress on the family." The paperwork to apply for scholarships and loans may be daunting, and competition may be stiff. But awards can range from a low-interest loan paying for a portion of the tuition to a full ride that includes room and board. Most large companies offer some kind of tuition assistance. Some programs require coursework to be relevant to a student's current job or employer; others don't have that restriction. Or classes may fit under a professional development plan. If you work for a university or college, the education perk is probably even better. Many will cover nearly all tuition at the institution for employees and dependent children. Luciano-Ross landed a new job as evaluation and matriculation coordinator at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut, her recent alma mater. She loves her work, and plans to continue working while earning her MBA, also at Post. As a full-time employee, 90 percent of her tuition is covered. Veronica is also attending Post and taking advantage of her mother's employer's generous employee tuition program; 95 percent of her tuition is covered. For other private and government scholarships and loans, let the not-for-profit , which offers an online search of nearly 2,500 sources of college funding, do the research for you. Find scholarships that are specifically for Latinos by going to the "Scholarship Search" link and under "Additional Information" clicking "Hispanic." Pell Grants now worth up to $5,500 a year for undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or a professional degree are awarded based largely on financial need. And the U.S. Department of Education website offers a wider range of options. Next: Find a Cheaper Route Attending a local college and living at home could save thousands of dollars a year. Luciano-Ross and her two adult children attend schools close to home and still live under the same Waterbury roof (along with husband, Johnny, and youngest daughter, Katherine, 8), thus sparing the family the fat bills that would normally have come with dorm housing and a college meal plan. Having three members of the family in three colleges at the same time often seems like a TV sitcom, says Saida. "There were times we'd all be studying in some corner of the house, one of us in the library, the other in the basement," she says. "I would sometimes do my reading in the car in the garage." Two-year community colleges, like the one Roberto attends, offer another budget-conscious option. They typically cost much less than four-year colleges, and you can attend from home.
But a U.S. Government Accountability Office report found that many new recruits paid much higher tuition than at community colleges, and that some recruiters misrepresented their school's accreditation and provided inaccurate information about job prospects and pay ranges for careers.
Most colleges are either public institutions or private nonprofit institutions. If you are considering a for-profit, verify any claims made by the school's representatives. Choose a Hot Career Path If you're going back to school to boost your income, consider aiming for a career path that offers the most opportunity. Some fast-growing careers that require a four-year or advanced degree include elementary- and secondary-school teachers, accountants, lawyers, doctors and computer analysts. Several professions — such as nurses, computer support specialists, preschool teachers, and insurance and real estate agents — require only a two-year associate degree. The online Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook — which covers growth in the field, potential income and nature of the work — is a great place to explore career fields. It is available in English and Spanish. Whatever the choice, Veronica remembers her maternal grandmother's words: "She used to say to me, 'Education is always the number one priority!' " says Veronica. "I still hear her words in every classroom, during every test and during any obstacle that life throws my way." Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Set Your Sights on Higher Education
Don' t let finances block the way for you your children or your grandchildren
Saida Luciano-Ross, 49, just started her first year at business school. That's headline news for her Puerto Rican parents. Luciano-Ross's mother left school in second grade to help raise her brothers and sisters. Her dad made it to high school, but then he dropped out, emigrating to New York City to work in the Garment District. In contrast, Luciano-Ross earned her bachelor's degree in business administration last May. That same week, her daughter, Veronica, who is 21, received her bachelor's degree in political science. Saida is now working toward her MBA (master of business administration). Veronica is pursuing her second bachelor's degree, this one in criminal justice, which she hopes will pave the way to law school and a career in international law. And Luciano-Ross's son, Roberto, who is 19, is just finishing his second year studying graphic design at a local community college.See also:
Fredrik Broden The upward generational trend toward higher education among Hispanics extends far beyond this family. Despite the soaring cost of college, Latinos, along with Asians and Pacific Islanders, have the fastest rate of increase in enrollment of all ethnic groups over the past three decades, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That's not surprising. As our economy grows more complex, schooling becomes more valuable. "Jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience," said President Barack Obama recently. And once you have that diploma, you'll earn more. "A person with a college degree," says Deborah Santiago of , a nonprofit organization that aims to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, "will earn over $1 million more in a lifetime than someone without a college education."
That's a key message for Hispanics. Despite the upward trend, just 19 percent of Latinos 25 and older — versus 35 percent of the general population — have an associate degree or higher. A Pew Hispanic Center study found that nearly three-quarters of Latinos who cut their education short during or right after high school said they did so to help support their family. But you can overcome the financial challenges. Next:
College for Older Students
Not all older students fit the same mold, “but they tend to be much more pragmatic and career-focused than their younger classmates,” says Deborah Santiago of .That’s certainly true for Saida Luciano-Ross, who initially started college when she was right out of high school but quit. “I just swayed away, got married, had children,” she says. Attending class in her late 40s to finally earn her bachelor’s degree in business was a whole different ballgame. “When I first went to school, I couldn’t relate to a lot of what I learned. When I went back after years of experience in the work world, everything became more real. It all made a lot more sense.”
Many two- and four-year schools offer special workshops for older adults that focus on the economic challenges of returning to school. Check out school websites or call the admissions offices to ask about such special programs, suggests René A. González of the .
Mine the Resources Don't be frightened by what you read about the skyrocketing price of college tuition, says Santiago. "Although some students pay full freight," she says, "many don't." Financial aid, especially for families of modest means, is often available through employers, schools and the government.
Resources for Hispanics Only
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute offers $1,000 grants for community college, $2,500 for four-year college, internships, fellowships and learning opportunities. 800-EXCEL-DC,Hispanic College Fund has awarded nearly $15 million to 5,400 Latino students since 1993. In addition to the grants, averaging $3,500, the fund offers many free educational programs. 800-644-4223,
Hispanic Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $300 million in scholarships over the past 35 years in programs aimed at graduating seniors, community college transfers and others. 1-877-HSF-INFO, Saida Luciano-Ross's associate degree was funded by a grant from her previous employer, an aerospace company, part of a severance package when she was laid off in 2007 from her job in quality assurance. A federal Pell Grant helped finance her bachelor's degree. Veronica's BS was funded in part by a $20,000-a-year need-based scholarship from her university. Roberto also received a $3,000-a-year federal Pell Grant. "Especially with my mother and brother in school at the same time, money was a big issue for us," says Veronica. "The scholarship allowed me to pursue my degree without too much financial stress on the family." The paperwork to apply for scholarships and loans may be daunting, and competition may be stiff. But awards can range from a low-interest loan paying for a portion of the tuition to a full ride that includes room and board. Most large companies offer some kind of tuition assistance. Some programs require coursework to be relevant to a student's current job or employer; others don't have that restriction. Or classes may fit under a professional development plan. If you work for a university or college, the education perk is probably even better. Many will cover nearly all tuition at the institution for employees and dependent children. Luciano-Ross landed a new job as evaluation and matriculation coordinator at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut, her recent alma mater. She loves her work, and plans to continue working while earning her MBA, also at Post. As a full-time employee, 90 percent of her tuition is covered. Veronica is also attending Post and taking advantage of her mother's employer's generous employee tuition program; 95 percent of her tuition is covered. For other private and government scholarships and loans, let the not-for-profit , which offers an online search of nearly 2,500 sources of college funding, do the research for you. Find scholarships that are specifically for Latinos by going to the "Scholarship Search" link and under "Additional Information" clicking "Hispanic." Pell Grants now worth up to $5,500 a year for undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or a professional degree are awarded based largely on financial need. And the U.S. Department of Education website offers a wider range of options. Next: Find a Cheaper Route Attending a local college and living at home could save thousands of dollars a year. Luciano-Ross and her two adult children attend schools close to home and still live under the same Waterbury roof (along with husband, Johnny, and youngest daughter, Katherine, 8), thus sparing the family the fat bills that would normally have come with dorm housing and a college meal plan. Having three members of the family in three colleges at the same time often seems like a TV sitcom, says Saida. "There were times we'd all be studying in some corner of the house, one of us in the library, the other in the basement," she says. "I would sometimes do my reading in the car in the garage." Two-year community colleges, like the one Roberto attends, offer another budget-conscious option. They typically cost much less than four-year colleges, and you can attend from home.
Proceed With Caution
Take the long view Don't let finances pose a barrier to your education. Focus in on the value it will bring — and the resources available.
For-profit colleges offering degrees and certifications in business administration, cosmetology, medical billing and many other fields have seen a surge of enrollment in past years.But a U.S. Government Accountability Office report found that many new recruits paid much higher tuition than at community colleges, and that some recruiters misrepresented their school's accreditation and provided inaccurate information about job prospects and pay ranges for careers.
Most colleges are either public institutions or private nonprofit institutions. If you are considering a for-profit, verify any claims made by the school's representatives. Choose a Hot Career Path If you're going back to school to boost your income, consider aiming for a career path that offers the most opportunity. Some fast-growing careers that require a four-year or advanced degree include elementary- and secondary-school teachers, accountants, lawyers, doctors and computer analysts. Several professions — such as nurses, computer support specialists, preschool teachers, and insurance and real estate agents — require only a two-year associate degree. The online Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook — which covers growth in the field, potential income and nature of the work — is a great place to explore career fields. It is available in English and Spanish. Whatever the choice, Veronica remembers her maternal grandmother's words: "She used to say to me, 'Education is always the number one priority!' " says Veronica. "I still hear her words in every classroom, during every test and during any obstacle that life throws my way." Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures