The resources, provided by the Héctor and Gloria López Foundation (HGLF), will provide tuition and support that will benefit 15 students at each university.

Sergio Rodríguez, CEO of the foundation and nephew of Héctor and Gloria López, highlighted:

The fact that they are admitted is enough for us. We don’t need to put up another barrier in order to provide support.

About the Grants 

To apply to ‘López Scholars,’ which focuses on increasing educational equity and employment opportunities for Latino students throughout Texas, the following must be taken into account:

• No Application Required: Incoming freshmen who meet the following criteria will be considered and selected at random: recipients must be Hispanic, demonstrate a financial need, be the first in their family to attend college and have lived in or graduated from a high school in one of the five focus areas. 
• No Minimum Test Scores or GPA Requirements: Rather than exclusively serving the students who are most likely to succeed, this scholarship is rooted in the belief that all Latino students deserve the chance to attend college without financial burden.
• Holistic Services to Maximize Success: In addition to covering tuition, fees, and living expenses, the scholarship also funds study abroad programs, leadership development opportunities, paid internships, tutoring, and more. 

These are the five university partners that received grants in the last month:

1. The University of Texas at San Antonio
2. St. Edward’s University
3. Texas State University
4. Texas A&M International University
5. Texas A&M University at Kingsville

HGLF highlights that each of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (ISH) was selected for demonstrating specific goals and outcomes that drive educational success for Latino and first-generation students.

"We’re proud to partner with these five institutions who create a network of support for first-generation Latino students as they embark on their path to economic success,” added Rodríguez.

How does it work? 

Beginning in the fall of 2023 and for the next 5 years, López Scholars recipients will receive support for tuition and fees, as well as other resources, including tutoring, housing, study abroad programs, paid internships, leadership development and more.

The investment, which builds on the Texas 60x30 plan that calls for 60% of working-age Texans to receive a degree, certificate or other post-secondary credential of value by 2030, seeks to enable at least 285,000 Latino students to achieve that goal each year.

Investing in the education of first-generation Latino students in Texas is an investment in a brighter future for all. Thank you to @txamiu for joining us on our mission! https://t.co/6rYDio0RZ8

— Hector and Gloria López Foundation (@HGLFoundation) April 7, 2023

According to the foundation, in 2021 only 131,915 Latinos earned a degree or certificate and less than half of the degrees awarded were bachelor's degrees (52,011).

“My aunt and uncle believed that our youth are our future, and higher education is the pathway to prosperity. By investing in future generations, we are honoring their legacy and uplifting the Texas Latino community as a whole,” stressed Rodríguez.

About HGLF

The foundation, created in 2021, provides post-secondary education opportunities for Latino students in Texas, specifically students from El Paso, Austin, San Antonio, South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley.

Its goal is to reduce the financial and systemic barriers students face in their journey to earn a college degree, focusing on increasing Latino representation on faculty and administration, as well as philanthropy.