The Hector and Glora López Foundation announced that its first grant would consist of $1.7 million to benefit 15 students at UTEP that will be classified as López Scholars. The Lopez Scholarship program was announced at 10 a.m. July 5 in the Interdisciplinary Research Building, according to a news release from UTEP Marketing and Communications. Representatives of the UT System and the Lopez Foundation were present at the event for the announcement of the new program.
The Lopez Scholarship aims to provide funding for Hispanic students in order to pursue a higher education.
“UTEP stands out as an education leader in Texas,” said Sergio Rodríguez in the news release, President and CEO of the Hector and Glora López Foundation. “We selected UTEP because of its track record as a leading research university serving Latino students.”
UTEP has the highest percentage among Carnegie “R1” very high research universities with 37% of UTEP’s faculty being Hispanic. The student population is 84% Hispanic.
“It’s so important that young Latinos see themselves at institutions of higher education and find a network of support that gets them across the finish line with a degree that will boost their economic opportunities,” Rodríguez said, according to the news release. “We are committed to colleges and universities with high numbers of Latino students and faculty, with proven success in building networks that help students succeed while they are in school and after they graduate.”
The requirements to become a López Scholar consist of the applicant being Hispanic, in need of financial assistance, the first in their family to attend college, and living in or having graduated from a high school in one of the following focus areas: El Paso, Austin, San Antonio, and communities in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
Prior to the start of the fall 2022 semester, 15 López scholars will be selected from the pool of candidates who meet the requirements mentioned above without submitting an application, a minimum GPA, or an SAT/ACT score that qualifies.
“With its focus on Hispanic student success, the Hector and Gloria López Foundation is well aligned with UTEP’s mission to expand educational opportunities to underserved students,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson at the press conference, according to the release. “We are thankful to the López Foundation for partnering with us to change students’ lives. As America’s leading Hispanic-serving university, UTEP is especially honored to be the first recipient of a López Foundation grant.”
The Hector and Glora López Foundation aims to reduce the financial and systemic barriers that students face on their journey to obtain a college or university degree. The foundation also focuses on increasing Latino representation in faculty and administration as well as in philanthropy. For more information on the foundation, visit www.hglopezfoundation.org.
López scholars will receive assistance with tuition and fees, as well as other services like tutoring, paid internships, and other services for up to five years. The goal of this scholarship is to help students focus on their studies rather than the financial aspect of higher education.
