• March 28th, 2024
  • Thursday, 11:39:57 AM

$100,000 in Grants to 31 Hispanic Students


Photo: Haz la U Haz la U™ national grant recipient Henry Rosas is featured in a new bilingual documentary video.

In partnership with Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), Colgate-Palmolive is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Haz la U (Make the U) educational grant program. Now in its ninth year, the initiative promotes the importance of higher education among Latinos. Through its community service category, Colgate will support the HHF’s Youth Awards Program honoring 31 community-minded high school seniors who have demonstrated excellence in volunteerism and leadership in 10 regions across the nation.

Eligible students can apply for grants via Colgate.com/HazLaU through October 15, 2017. Winners will be selected by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation based on their academic excellence and dedication and demonstration of leadership within their community.

While, Hispanic college enrollment continues to rise — more than tripling over the last 20 years — Latinos still lag behind other ethnic groups in degree attainment, according to Pew Research Center. Often reporting a lack of financial resources, Hispanics are less likely to enroll in four-year schools, opting instead for two-year community colleges or as a part-time student in order to maintain a paying job.

To encourage and inspire more Hispanic students to pursue a higher education with financial support, Colgate is featuring former Haz la U™ national grant recipient Henry Rosas in a new documentary video, available in English and Spanish, on Colgate’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/ColgateOralCare.

“Going to college has always been a dream of mine,” said Rosas, a first-year student at Yale University. “The Haz la U™ grant will be a huge relief, allowing me more time to focus on my studies instead of tuition payments.”

Henry is the first in his family lineage to attend college. A son of two immigrant parents from Mexico and growing up in West Phoenix, Henry struggled with expressing his culture. Embodying the Colgate culture of caring, teamwork and continuous improvement, Henry hopes to create a change in the world and be the voice for those who feel they can’t speak out for themselves.

More information about Haz la U™ and application guidelines are available at www.colgate.com/hazlau.