Sixth Annual Latino College Fair to be Held on November 23 in the Bronx

 New York students and families looking to find more information on the college process are encouraged to attend the state’s Sixth Annual Latino College Fair and Workshop to be held Saturday, November 23 at the Bronx Rose Hill Campus of Fordham University.

The free college preparation and access event, held in conjunction with the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), will feature an afternoon full of important information, including a bilingual financial aid workshop that looks to guide students and their families through the sometimes confusing financial aid process. Representatives from over 60 New York State colleges and universities will also be on hand to describe available programs and important deadlines. Last year, more than 1,400 students and their families attended the event.

The Latino College Fair is funded primarily through New York State's College Access Challenge Grant program (CACG), a federal program administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation that looks to increase the number of low-income, minority and underserved students who are prepared to apply for, get accepted to and succeed in college. Other sponsors of the event include Fordham University, CICU member colleges and universities and the Sallie Mae Fund.

REAL RESOURCES, REAL IMPACT

As part of its mission of expanding college accessibility, CACG also awards funds to groups that work within neighborhoods and at various high schools. Organizations like ASPIRA of New York, the Children's Aid Society (CAS), the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center and SOBRO (South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation) have received nearly half a million dollars since 2012 to provide college access programs that include mentoring, academic support and information on the benefits of postsecondary education specifically within Latino communities in New York City.

Felipe Ayala, a former participant of the CAS’ Carrera (Career) Program knows firsthand how CACG provided him with the tools, resources and support he needed to earn a college degree.

Overall, CACG has provided more than $21 million since September 2011 to serve nearly 171,000 students statewide through local not-for profit organizations and statewide partners such as CICU.

Founded in 1956, CICU is a statewide association representing the public policy interests of the chief executives of more than 100 independent colleges and universities in New York State. Its outreach efforts include helpful publications for students, parents, and schools that are available free of charge to New York State high schools and other educational facilities. The Albany, NY-based organization also produces the Web site www.nycolleges.org, which features profiles of New York's private colleges and universities and degree offerings throughout the state.

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