Create college opportunities for Latino students

The Scholars Latino Initiative continues to celebrate the success of its scholars, and to express gratitude for many people who have supported SLI programming and scholarships. As of this fall, SLI has served 125 students and awarded more than $370,000 in financial support. 

This is much needed assistance. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, “For years, Latina/o students have been the fastest-growing segment of undergraduates, and in the fall of 2019, they were the only demographic to chalk up enrollment gains. But by the fall of 2020, their families disproportionately devastated by Covid-19-related sickness and job losses, the number of Latino first-time freshmen tumbled by 20 percent, according to a recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center…. In 2017-18, the most recent year for which figures are available, 24 percent of Latino adults, age 25 and over, had earned at least an associate degree, compared with 46 percent of white adults.” 

Furthermore, in Virginia, the high school graduation rate for hispanic students is more than 13 percentage points lower than white high school students. 

With SLI’s programming and supports, including $101,000 in direct student financial aid budgeted for 2021 alone, SLI scholars are encouraged not only to graduate from high school, but to pursue higher education and degrees that will have life-changing impact on themselves, their families, and their communities.

An additional message from Jason Good, Chair of the SLI Board of Directors:

On behalf of the board of the Scholars Latino Initiative, thank you for your support. Thank you, thank you. By partnering with SLI, you undoubtedly directly made a positive impact in our communities. Since our founding in 2012, the SLI family of supporters has consistently grown through new donors and increasing generosity, driving our work to support Latino/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships.

In just the last five years, you have tripled your donations. Tripled. As a volunteer board and a community based non-profit organization, this immense generosity makes our work possible. These donations have a direct impact on the scholars. In 2021, our annual budget now has over $100,000 allotted for direct scholar financial support through scholarships, computer awards, and dual enrollment support. The family of SLI scholars now has grown to 125 current scholars and alumni who have attended more than 20 colleges and universities.

We are not an organization that only provides financial support. SLI is built on providing comprehensive support and partnership with students through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, and supportive mentorships. Our programming directors, including university faculty and high school teachers, are truly training the leaders of tomorrow.

We are humbled and honored by the stories of incredible scholars. Alex, arriving in the US as a freshman in high school from El Salvador without speaking English, joined SLI as a sophomore in high school and by the end of his junior year had a 4.1 GPA, was taking multiple AP, dual enrollment, and honors courses, and is planning on studying computer science in college.

Angela, a first generation SLI college student, shared “Scholars Latino Initiative has changed my life tremendously and has provided me with help in many ways, giving me guidance and helping me financially and emotionally… When I had the opportunity to join SLI, I saw doors open my way. I was able to meet more people like me who wanted to achieve their dreams. I was able to connect with important people who would academically guide me to choose the right path for my future.”

Thank you for your incredible generosity. We are honored to partner with incredible organizations, companies, schools, and community members like you.

Links:

• Learn about SLI
• Scholar thanks
• Donate directly to SLI