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VALHEN's Hispanic College Institute

The VALHEN Hispanic College Institute (HCI) is a highly successful residential program that prepares Hispanic students in the Commonwealth of Virginia to enter and succeed in higher education. In partnership with the School of Business at Virginia State University (VSU), the first VALHEN HCI was held at the VSU campus, in Petersburg, from July 19-21, 2012. Click here to view our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoahEAhRQgY&sns=em
FOR PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to volunteer and support our participating students, we have several committees including descriptions, dates and times listed here: http://2013valhenhcipros.eventbrite.com/. We encourage you to visit frequently as updates are made regularly. Thank you in advance for your volunteerism.

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPANTS

Please note that the HCI mailing address has changed to:

Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN)
P.O. Box 5626
Williamsburg, VA 23188

Applications for VALHEN's Hispanic College Institute (HCI) 2013 program are closed. Please check back in January, 2014 for next year's application. The deadline is slated for March 15, 2014. Please mark this date on your calendar if you are interested in applying. Applications will become available in January 2014. The link for the 2014 application will be available in this page.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
  • 2.5 GPA or above,
  • current high school sophomore (rising junior) or junior (rising senior),
  • enrolled full-time in a Virginia high school.

The program is free to the students, who are asked to pay a modest $10 application fee upon accepting our offer of admission. (This application fee may be waived if requested.) Free bus transportation is also provided for students to and from Virginia State University.

The HCI is based on research and input from Hispanic educators and community leaders, and much of the content is delivered by Hispanics who can relate to the students’ experiences and challenges. The program provides clear and practical college application and financial aid information, and allows students to have the opportunity to engage with successful Hispanic leaders and role models who will help inform them about career and educational opportunities. If admitted, students will:

  • live on a college campus
  • receive help writing a college application essay
  • participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related workshops
  • learn and/or improve public speaking, presentation and interviewing skills
  • experience increased awareness of community-focused civic engagement
  • understand the financial aid and the FAFSA application processes
  • acquire knowledge on available scholarships and other types of financial aid
  • meet and engage with Hispanic leaders and role models to learn about their career successes
  • have the opportunity to meet with college admissions and financial aid representatives
  • compete for available scholarships
  • participate in a College, Career and Community Resource Fair

Parents will be invited to meet with VSU’s President and to stay for the closing ceremonies. (Detailed information will be included in the student’s admissions packet.)

VALHEN wishes to thank the 2012 HCI Volunteer Chairs and the vast number of other volunteers, including members of VALHEN, its Board of Directors, and other community volunteers for the many hours spent helping make our first HCI a reality. VALHEN also wishes to thank our generous sponsors for their support and faith in our mission. Without these individuals and sponsoring organizations, this endeavor would not be possible!

Sponsors


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