• Grants are available to help fill a variety of needs facing Hispanics in Texas, from clean water and safe, affordable housing along the state's border, to an affordable college education. The number of Hispanic students moving directly from high school to college rose by 70 percent between 1990 and 2010, but the numbers can still be higher, according to the Sallie Mae Foundation. Of the state's almost 25 million population, 36.9 percent are of Hispanic origin, according to the 2010 Census.
  
  

The First in My Family College Fund

• The First in My Family College Fund is grant money provided by a partnership between the Hispanic College Fund and the Sallie Mae Corp. The grants pay the college tuition for Hispanic students from disadvantaged backgrounds or from families with no history of college. Hispanic students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at approved, accredited institutions are invited to apply, according to Sallie Mae. Students need at least a 3.0 grade point average to qualify for the grants, which range between $500 and $5,000, as of 2010. The Sallie Mae Fund is a charity sponsored by the Sallie Mae Corp. that supports programs that "help open doors to higher education."
  
  The Sallie Mae Fund
  
  12061 Bluemont Way
  
  Reston, VA 20190
  
  888-272-5543
  
  thesalliemaefund.org
  
  

The Long Foundation

• The Long Foundation established a $10 million permanent endowment to benefit the Hispanic youth of Texas by supporting the arts and education. The endowment is the "Lozano Long $10 Million Promise" to Hispanic Texas made by founders Joe R. Long and Theresa Lozano Long. The money goes toward charities, schools, universities and government programs that fulfill at least one of the "Five Promises of America's Promise." These include: relationships with caring adults, such as parents, mentors, teachers and coaches; safe places with structured activities during non-school hours; a "healthy start and future"; marketable skills cultivated through education; and the opportunities to give back through community services. Anyone, regardless of race or where they live, can ask their local government for more information on applying for the annual Community Development Block Grants.
  
  The Long Foundation
  
  40 N. IH 35, Suite 7C2
  
  Austin, TX 78701
  
  512-479-4080
  
  longfoundation.org
  
  

Community Development Block Grant, Colonias

• The federal government allocates funding every year to states and local governments, based on a formula of need, to provide decent and affordable housing, to provide services to a community's most vulnerable members, and to create jobs. Of the money Texas receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the form of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), 10 percent must be spent on Colonias. These are rural settlements on the border of the United States and Mexico, defined as lacking potable water, good sewage, and safe, affordable housing. Arizona, California and New Mexico are also required to allocate up to 10 percent of their CDBG grant money to Colonias, according to the federal government. Most of the money allocated for Colonias goes to expand water and sewer systems, and to enhance housing safe, affordable housing opportunities in the community.
  
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  
  451 7th St. S.W.
  
  Washington, DC 20410
  
  202-708-1112
  
  hud.gov