Consulate General of Mexico Hosts the 2nd Annual Steps to College

2013 Feria Universitaria Expects 2,500 Latino High School Students - Focus is on College Financial Aid & Admissions

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Latino high school students are invited to learn about college admissions and financial aid at Steps to College 2013 in Natomas, on Feb 2^nd. 

Steps to College 2013 is a higher education event presented in both Spanish and English, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento located at 2093 Arena Boulevard.

The event is organized by the following community and higher education partners:  The California Student Aid Commission; Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento; Cien Amigos; Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California; Latino Policy Coalition; Dream Develop Do; College Board; Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; UC Davis; and, Sacramento State University.

The Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento, Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez said, "I appreciate the opportunity to host the 2nd annual "Steps To College" university fair. I would like to express my recognition to all the participating institutions for making a great effort while providing a valuable service to the Mexican, Mexican-American and Latino Community of Northern California."

This year's Feria Universitaria or University Fair is expected to attract 2,500 students from all throughout Northern California.  There will be representatives from dozens of California colleges and universities providing information about their admission process.

The objectives of Steps to College 2013 are to:

• explain the full array of resources available for Latino students to finance their higher education,
• expose Latino families to the admissions process on Northern California higher education institutions,
• and assist Latino students in completing their student aid applications.

Student workshop topics will include Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); Financial Aid; College and University Admissions; and Consular Affairs.  Students will learn more about available scholarships and the Cal Grant program.

Students will have the opportunity to apply on-site for the California Dream Act financial aid. The new application launches on January 1, 2013. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more detailed information on the Dream Act.

"The Latino community is still facing a higher education crisis – especially in this state.  California has the highest population of Latinos in the nation and the largest gap between adults with degrees (Latinos 15.5 percent compared to Anglos 50 percent).  Since a large contributing factor is the language barrier, Steps to College is a good first step to ensure Latino parents learn about the enrollment process and of the many programs and scholarships available to ensure members of their family earn a college degree," concluded Jim Gonzalez, LPC Chair.

Steps to College 2012 attracted over 1,200 Latino high school students from over 40 different high schools.  For more information and to register for the fair, please visit the Steps to College website at www.stepstocollege2013.org

SOURCE Steps to College