Real-life experiences with scholarships for Hispanic students
Community support and scholarships for Hispanic students were crucial for two college hopefuls. Hear their advice on navigating college.
Rafael Ortiz Jr. is a first-generation college student from Los Angeles. After several of his family’s businesses failed, he decided to focus on business in college, ultimately earning a master’s in entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. It wasn’t an easy path, but Ortiz says support — and scholarships for Hispanic students — helped him achieve his college goals. Now, he uses his business education to not only run Ortiz Jr. Auto Repair but also to inspire other Hispanic college hopefuls.
When asked about his college experience, Ortiz says, “It was a challenging journey. I struggled with imposter syndrome, and I was always in survival mode. My classmates often had entirely different perspectives than I did, but my professors always reminded me that I belonged and that my institutions accepted me for a reason.” Ortiz urges future Hispanic students to be confident and know that others are rooting for them.
Mariana Montoya’s parents came to the U.S. with very little, looking for a better life for themselves and their future children. She received a degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge in 2022, and she believes that her Hispanic heritage and community played a large role in her college journey. “I grew up in this amazing neighborhood with people who were very influential in my life,” says Montoya. “Every single day, the matriarchs would encourage me to do something that they didn’t have the chance to do — and education was naturally a part of that. For me, going to college felt like a way to give a voice to the community of people who came here to give me a better life.”
Advice for Hispanic students exploring postsecondary education
As future generations of Hispanic students navigate their options for postsecondary education, Montoya and Ortiz offer this advice.
Find a mentor
In his journey to college, Ortiz found that there were a lot of questions that he just didn’t know how to answer on his own — starting with how to pick a major. “I wasn’t really sure how to approach choosing a major,” he says. “I knew I wanted to focus on business, but I didn’t understand the different disciplines. Why should I choose marketing over finance? I didn’t know what option would open more doors for me.”
His biggest advice? Find a mentor early on in your college career, someone you feel comfortable asking questions. Consider someone who is already working in your desired field or a professor who specializes in your major. Most importantly, find someone who can give you an unbiased opinion and help guide you through big decisions.
Let yourself be heard
As he looked around campus, Ortiz realized that he was one of the only Hispanic students in his program. It was hard not feeling like an outsider, but he says becoming more involved with school activities helped. He encourages future generations to continually find ways to engage on campus. Whether it’s joining a club or actively participating in class, Ortiz says, “It’s hard to feel like you belong without raising your voice and letting yourself be heard. So, speak up. Participate. It’s the only way to feel comfortable.”
Mariana has slightly more specific advice on getting involved on campus — take at least one class focusing on Hispanic history and culture. She recommends finding a class that’s most relevant to your heritage, like a class on the Latin American experience, Spanish history, or Mexican-American relations. She adds, “It’s so important to know your history and to know a little about where you stand in this country. It’s an eye-opening experience that gives you perspective and helps you get to know yourself in a different way.”
Consider all possible outcomes
A recent study by Unidos U.S. and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that Hispanic students often choose not to explore postsecondary education because they either need to work, aren’t willing to take on educational debt — or both.1 In his experience, Ortiz finds that this research is correct — but he is adamant that Hispanic students understand that college can be worth the financial investment, especially if you find scholarships for Hispanic students.
He explains further by saying, “For a lot of Hispanic students, we just go with the cheapest option. We make the decision solely based on cost. Of course, whoever offers scholarships for Hispanic students is crucial — but Hispanic students should take it one step further and consider which program can offer the best opportunities after graduation. Investing money in your education is important, especially if it gives you the career boost you need.”
As you consider the cost of higher education, explore available scholarships for Hispanic students (our Scholarship Resources Center can help). The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is a well-known organization that offers financial support for both undergraduate and graduate students. You could also rely on a scholarship database for additional options. Tuition Funding Sources (TFS Scholarships) , for instance, has over 7 million scholarships in their database — including scholarships for Hispanic students.
Ortiz’s auto repair shop isn’t far from USC’s campus — and he did that intentionally. He wanted to continue working while pursuing his degree, and it allows him to be there for future generations of Hispanic students who live in the neighborhoods around his shop. When they stop in, he makes sure to talk to them about continuing their education and tells them directly, “You see that campus? We belong there. Come on, let’s get you in there.”— Rafael Ortiz, Jr.
