For the 17th year, Miller Lite is partnering with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to offer Latino students age 21 and up college scholarships and leadership opportunities. This year, Miller Lite has committed $191,000 to seed a record 63 scholarships through HACU’s ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute.
The scholarships come at a time when the pandemic has negatively affected Latinos’ enrollment at higher education institutions. Overall enrollment of Latinos decreased by 5.3%, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse, giving added significance to the scholarship program.
"Now that the world is opening back up, our mission is to help everyone reconnect with the people most important to them, and that may include college friends and peers," says Catherine Pastiak, associate marketing manager for Miller Lite, which last year awarded 40 scholarships worth $180,000. "We're incredibly proud of our company's 17-year-long relationship with HACU, and we hope to continue our partnership to help Latino students in their journey of becoming the leaders of tomorrow."
Miller Lite is offering scholarships between $2,500 and $5,000 to Latino college students in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. It will offer eight scholarships of $5,000 to students in Houston, and 18 of $2,500 to students across Texas. Eligible students must be age 21 or older, attend a HACU-member institution in a participating market, be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or DACA recipient.
Students may apply online through July 30.
Scholarship winners will also receive a spot at the HACU ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute, an annual conference that will be held virtually in late October. Recipients will have the opportunity to join workshops focused on leadership and professional development and participate in networking opportunities.
"In the past four years alone, Miller Lite and HACU have been able to award 177 scholarships totaling $618,900," says HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. "We hope to continue this relationship and keep impacting the lives of Latino students across the country."
In addition to its long-standing relationship with HACU, Miller Lite is joined by Coors Light in supporting emerging Latino leaders. For the past 14 years, the Coors Light Líderes Program has recognized emerging Latino leaders and helped by providing resources, networking opportunities and other ways to grow professionally.
Last year it awarded San Antonio community advocate Richard Montez a $25,000 grant.