NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Colgate-Palmolive is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Haz la U™ ("Make the U-Turn") educational grant program. Now in its tenth year, the initiative supports higher education among Latinx with financial grants for tuition and other academic-related costs. A total of 31 grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 will be awarded to the winning students and applicable to the 2019-20 academic year.

Colgate is proud to fund the Hispanic Heritage Foundation's Youth Awards program in the Community Service category, where select high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in volunteerism and leadership from across the U.S. will be awarded a grant.

Eligible students can apply for grants via Colgate.com/HazLaU now through October 15, 2018. Colgate's Youth Award winners will be selected by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation based on academic excellence, dedication, and demonstration of leadership within their community.

While Hispanic college enrollment continues to rise and has more than tripled over the last two decades, Latinx often do not complete studies through to graduation, according to Pew Research Center¹. Often reporting a lack of financial resources, many of these students are less likely to enroll in four-year schools, opting instead for two-year community colleges or as part-time students while working full-time.

Henry Rosas, a past recipient of the $15,000 grand prize Haz la U grant and the gold medallion in his region, is now a rising sophomore at Yale University. His story was chronicled in two short films in English and Spanish. Rosas says, "I want to be a fighter for people who don't have a voice. I'm the first in my family's lineage to ever go to college. I hope to create a change — however big or how small that is. With hard work and dedication, you can leave the world a better place than you found it."

More information about Haz la U and application guidelines are available in English and Spanish at www.colgate.com/hazlau.

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet, Hill's Prescription Diet and Hill's Ideal Balance. For more information about Colgate's global business, visit the Company's web site at http://www.colgatepalmolive.com. To learn more about Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® oral health education program, please visit http://www.colgatebsbf.com. CL-C

About HHF
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation – a nonprofit established by the White House in 1987 – inspires, prepares, and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community, and workforce to meet America's priorities.  HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions.  HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles with satellite workspaces in New York, Silicon Valley, San Antonio, and Miami (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org).

¹ http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/28/5-facts-about-latinos-and-education/

SOURCE Colgate-Palmolive