skip to main content

Thursday, June 8, 2023

play newscast audioPlay

Alabama must redraw its Congressional maps, CNN reports a former official told the feds Trump knew the process for declassifying documents, and Canadian wildfires affect the health of humans and wildlife.

play newscast audioPlay

The Supreme Court upholds a key provision of the Voting Rights Act over Alabama redistricting, smoky skies could spell EPA trouble for some states, and President Biden calls on Congress to pass LGBTQ+ protections.

play newscast audioPlay

Rural communities launch projects with funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a study says rural transgender adults feel less supported than those in urban areas, and a summer road trip could mean majestic scenic byways or a sprinkling of donut shops.

Padres Estrellas Helps Hoosier Students Get Financial Aid

play audio
Play

Wednesday, December 22, 2021   

A state-run outreach program is working to ensure Indiana's Latino and Hispanic students have equal access to financial aid for post-secondary education.

Padres Estrellas, or "Star Parents," supports students by helping them file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and access state financial aid programs. José Medina, school and community outreach manager for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, said the eight parents in the group connect with community organizations across the state to reach new students.

"The Padres Estrellas are really connected to their Latino or Hispanic communities," he said, "and know, 'Who do we need to partner with? Where's the community partner, or the school or the church, that we need to go to, to get in front of these parents and talk about these programs?'"

Medina said Padres Estrellas also focuses on informing folks about two programs: the Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant, which offers free training for high-demand fields, and the 21st Century Scholars initiative, which provides college financial aid. From 2017 to 2019, according to the state, about 3,300 Hispanic or Latino and about 15,000 white students graduated from high school with aid for college from the 21st Century Scholars program.

While Padres Estrellas primarily focuses on outreach for those two programs, Indiana offers at least 10 other state-run financial aid initiatives. In the 2021 fiscal year, Medina said, Indiana distributed nearly $390 million in financial aid.

"If you want to get education or training after high school, we support you in that," he said. "You probably qualify for a state financial aid program to help you get that training or certification, or college education, to get you the opportunities to get a high-paying, high-demand job here in the state of Indiana."

A 2021 College Equity Report finds Hispanic and Latino students are the fastest-growing demographic in Indiana schools, and are poised to become the second-largest group of students overall.

---

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

(Editor's note: Producer Jonah Chester received financial aid through the 21st Century Scholars program from 2014 to 2018.)


get more stories like this via email
A case before the California State Supreme Court looks at whether a person who has been named a health care agent in an advance directive has the legal standing to sign an arbitration agreement requested by a skilled nursing facility. (Shishkin137/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

This week, four advocacy groups have filed an amicus brief in a case before the California Supreme Court involving allegations of elder abuse and the …


Environment

play sound

The New York State Senate has passed the HEAT Act, which now goes to the Assembly. The legislation aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances…

Social Issues

play sound

As hostility toward Jewish people continues to spike in Arizona and nationally, the Biden administration has issued a National Strategy to Counter …


George Floyd's murder brought such issues as generational wealth disparities to the forefront. Even prior to his death, awareness was growing in Midwestern states about a host of racial disparities, including economic. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

The upcoming Juneteenth holiday marks the kickoff of a new wealth building grant program for Black residents who are decedents of slavery in a few nor…

Environment

play sound

As more research emerges about the chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, government agencies are faced with the task of figuring …

Portland Police will move forward initiatives including Portland Ceasefire and Cure Violence to tackle gun violence. (4kclips/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Portland has nixed plans to bring gunshot detection technology to the city. The technology - designed by a company formerly known as ShotSpotter…

Health and Wellness

play sound

This week, Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed Senate Bill 239, which would have allowed medical aid in dying in Nevada. The bill would have given mentally …

Environment

play sound

An experimental nuclear technology project slated for testing in Idaho is raising concerns about the potential for nuclear weapons proliferation…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021