They want a college education — but barriers hold them back

October 27, 2009 by Carin Ford

Posted in: Enrollment, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views

An overwhelming majority of these students knows the importance of a college education. Yet they have the lowest numbers of any ethnic or racial group when it comes to plans for actually getting a degee.

The findings of a recent Pew Hispanic Center survey are startling:

Nearly 90% of Hispanics know the value of getting a B.A., but
Fewer than 50% of Hispanics ages 18-25 plan to get a college degree.

Why is there such a difference between what these students know they should do — and what they are doing?

There are no concrete answers, although experts speculate the students’ parents may have something to do with it: Many Hispanic parents lack the skills and social networks to help their children get into college.

Also, Hispanic families tend to be extremely reluctant to go into debt, experts say. So students who do enroll in college often work part-time jobs — which cuts into the time they can devote to academics.

For many Hispanic students, the more affordable community college route is the answer. Yet only about 1% wind up with a two-year degree.

What do you think is the answer to helping Hispanic students acquire a college education? Let us know in the comments section below.

4 Responses to “They want a college education — but barriers hold them back”

Rosemary Sarri Says:
October 28th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I think that you might look at the federal program “Upward Bound” during the Poverty Program in the 1960s. I think that it was quite successful in getting very poor Hispanics, espectially Chicanos into college programs. As a faculty member at the University of Michigan we recruited quite a number and many of them are now in very prominent positions in social agencies, labor unions, etc. in the community.
Trina Says:
October 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I agree with the comment about Upward Bound. In fact, all of the TRiO programs would be successful in this endeavor including Talent Search, Student Support Services, and Veterans Upward Bound. In addition — colleges and universities need to make better efforts to market to this and other underrepresented populations. There are a number of “summer bridge” programs that can be put in place on a campus and state-wide level. It takes a desire of the institution to want to attract these students in addition to creating programs that prepare the students to come to the university, to stay, and to graduate.
joshsmart Says:
October 28th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Parents need to share the most responsibility for their children’s education, not the government or the society. Hispanic Parents’ not willing to go into debts for their children’s education is no excuse for seeking help. Look at Asian parents, many Asian parents are more than willing to borrow against their houses for their children’s education, that is why Asian Americans have the highest college attending rates.
Maidenamerica Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I want to live in a McMansion, but there are “barriers”. A college education begins with free public education from pre-k through 12th grade that enables everyone in this country to prepare for college by studying hard, getting good grades, and applying for scholarships. For those without funding, community colleges are affordable, great values. Students can work full time, live at home, take a couple of courses at a time, and save for the last two years of a 4yr. program like I did. When did we start expecting Mama Government to provide EVERYTHING for us?