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This publication provides a synthesis of national data and the perspectives of Latino students speaking in their own voice about how they and their families view college affordability and opportunity. This brief is part of the Excelencia project, 'Higher Education's Capacity and Affordability for Latino Students' supported by Lumina and offers policy makers and institutional leaders new information to better serve this generation of Latino college goers.

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This brief examines Latino students' college choices. While Latino students may not be aware of the [Hispanic-serving institution] HSI designation, they are in fact converting existing colleges and institutions into HSIs simply as a function of their own decisions - a trend that shows signs of continuing for several more years. To examine Latino students' college choices, analysis of national enrollment patterns is blended with data from focus groups conducted with Latino college students from different institutions across the country. The results show the impact of Latino students' emphasis on selecting colleges near their homes. This emphasis, coupled with the concentration of Latino housing patterns, leads to the concentrated enrollments of Latino students that form HSIs. Other important decision factors, from lower sticker price to friendly atmosphere, buttress these choices - and present higher education decision makers with new information to use in choosing policies to adopt and programs and services to provide.

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As Latino representation in US higher education grows, a reality check of institutional practices that support Latino students' access, persistence, and graduation is needed. This brief examines financial aid strategies aimed at increasing enrollment, academic success and degree completion at eight Texas Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) located along the US-Mexico border serving low-income communities. These institutions rank among the top institutions, both statewide and nationally, in enrolling and graduating Latino students: Texas A&M International University; The University of Texas at Brownsville; The University of Texas at El Paso; The University of Texas Pan American; Laredo Community College; Texas Southmost College; El Paso County Community College District; [and] South Texas College. Understanding what influences Latino students' financial aid choices and which institutional practices are effective in enrolling, retaining, and graduating Latino students is directly relevant to other institutions that are only beginning to experience growth in the number of their non-traditional students. The findings of this brief are intended to inform the programs and services at institutions with growing Hispanic enrollment, as well as state and federal policymakers addressing the broader growth of Hispanic students throughout higher education.

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This report examines enrollment and graduation trends at eight Texas institutions, including four community colleges (Texas Southmost College, El Paso County Community College District, South Texas College, and Laredo Community College). It highlights promising programs and strategies for serving Latino students and offers policy recommendations for improving the success rates of Latino students in Texas.

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[This] brief describes federal legislation and programs that support higher education and [aims] to assess Latino participation in these programs.

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Financial aid plays a critical role in the postsecondary education of Latino students. However, very little comprehensive information is available about the sources or amount of financial aid Latinos receive to pay for college. The goal of this brief is to use the most recent data available to provide timely and accurate information about how Latino undergraduates participate in financial aid programs. The brief also offers some policy recommendations for consideration.

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This report highlights the borrowing patterns of students who choose to enroll in college and provides suggestions about why certain students may not borrow, even when borrowing seems to be a logical choice.

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