Muchachas Inteligentes Scholarship

Young Latinas face cultural, economic, and educational barriers to finishing high school and entering and completing college.

Latinas ages 18 to 24 have lower postsecondary-engagement rates than Asian, white, and black women of the same age bracket. Asian women are twice as likely as Latinas to be either enrolled in higher education or to have a postsecondary credential. *

Challenges for them in reaching educational goals, include such difficulties as immigration status, poverty, discrimination, low self-esteem, higher rates of depression and attempted suicide, gender stereotypes, and limited English proficiency.

A cultural emphasis on loyalty to family also can play a role. Latinas may be expected to take on additional duties as caregivers, such as helping to watch younger children or aid elderly family members. They may be expected to live with their parents until they are married, making it difficult to leave home to go away to college. They may also not be well informed about financial-aid opportunities to attend more expensive schools.

The ¡Muchachas Inteligentes! Scholarship supports young Latina students with financial support as well as program support as they select a post-secondary educational opportunity.  The scholarship will include programming participation for both the student and the family as they transition to a college or university.  The goal of the scholarship is to promote a healthy, positive experience. 

*SOURCE: EPE Research Center, 2012. Analysis of data from the American Community Survey (2008-2010), U.S. Census Bureau.