Steps to College 2013 Expects To Serve 2,500 Latino Students From Northern California

Steps to College is the only bilingual (English/Spanish) university fair in Northern California with an emphasis on College Financial Aid & Admissions

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento, Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez made the following announcement today on behalf of the Steps to College 2013 Steering Committee:

"We are honored to have the two great public university systems, the California State University and the University of California as major partners in this event. Their support, as well as that of numerous school districts and migrant-support organizations in the region, has allowed us to reach out to hundreds of low-income students from rural areas throughout Northern California, who will be attending the fair for the first time in chartered buses provided by Steps to College."

Steps to College 2013 is a higher education event presented in both English and Spanish, on February 2^nd from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento, located at 2093 Arena Boulevard.

The objectives of Steps to College 2013 are to:

• Explain the full array of resources available for Latino students to finance their higher education,
• introduce 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); DREAM Act Financial Aid Opportunities; and College and University Admissions.  Students will learn more about available scholarships and the Cal Grant program and will have the opportunity to apply on-site for the California Dream Act financial aid. Families may visit www.csac.ca.gov to access the online application.  High school seniors could also qualify for an extra $1,000 Dream in Action scholarships just by attending and applying for a Cal Grant by the March 2^nd deadline.

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

"The Latino population is the fastest growing demographic in the country and more students are pursuing higher education than ever before," said Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna.

The opening ceremony begins at 8:30 am with the following dignitaries also expected to attend:  California Senate President pro Tem, Darrell Steinberg; California State Assemblymembers Roger Dickinson and Richard Pan; Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna; and Sacramento City Councilmember Angelique Ashby.

Steps to College 2012 attracted over 1,200 Latino high school students from over 40 different high schools, this year Steps to College is expected to have 2,500 students in attendance.  For more information and to register for the fair, please visit the Steps to College website at www.stepstocollege2013.org.

NOTE:  Press attending the fair can receive their credentials by calling (916) 329-3501. 

SOURCE Steps to College