"Steps to College 2012 Fair": Cien Amigos, the Latino Policy Coalition (LPC), and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Host College Recruitment and Financial Aid Fair

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cien Amigos, LPC- Proyecto Oportunidad, and the California Student Aid Commission have announced the Steps to College 2012 Fair (Pasos A La Universidad) to inform Latino families and students about the expanding opportunities available to earn a college degree.

This special community fair will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at facilities provided by the Sacramento offices of the Mexican Consulate General, 2093 Arena Boulevard (at Truxel Road) just off Interstate 80.

Parking will be available free of charge; and university booths will be indoors or covered if it rains.

The Steps to College 2012 Fair will feature community leaders and expert counselors in higher education and financial aid. Representatives from distinguished colleges and universities will be on hand; as well as State of California higher education experts; and student and non-profit higher education organizations and advocates.  The Fair is designed to help all Latino families and students navigate a successful path to college:

• Explaining the full array of resources available for Latino students to finance their higher education.
• Exposing Latino families to the admissions process of Northern California higher education institutions.
• Assisting Latino students in completing their student aid applications.
• Helping Latino students understand AB-540 eligibility and requirements.  AB-540 eligible high school seniors who attend the fair could qualify for a Cash for College "Dream in Action" scholarship.
• Providing legal affairs workshops.

Persons attending the Steps to College Fair can register at www.stepstocollege2012.org and for more information, can call (916) 329-3590.  Students who register can also find out about the Cien Amigos-IME Becas Scholarship Fund for Latino high school juniors, seniors, and current college students.

"The California Student Aid Commission is most pleased to work with our partners in Northern California to make higher education more accessible and affordable to Latino families.

We welcome the participation of our higher education and community partners, including representatives from Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME), the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the College Board, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the University of Southern California, and the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California," said CSAC Executive Director Diana Fuentes-Michel.

Melinda Guzman, Chair of Cien Amigos (a local civic association promoting California and Mexico economic development) and a Trustee of the California State University observed:

"This is a groundbreaking event for Northern California.   This Fair highlights the commitment that we all share in assuring that Latino families and students receive the essential information and guidance they need to make informed decisions about achieving a college degree and the success that comes with it.

Assuring that each Latino family has at least one college degree is a vital key to our nation's long-term prosperity," Guzman stated.

Jim Gonzalez, Chair of the Latino Policy Coalition's Proyecto Oportunidad added:

"The Latino Community is experiencing an alarming higher education crisis. For more than a decade, the rate of Latinos and Latinas earning bachelor degrees has remained flat. We must do better to ensure our community's full participation in our nation's educational and economic opportunities. This Fair is a great first step," Gonzalez concluded.

On hosting the Fair, the Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento, Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, expressed his recognition to the numerous participating institutions for their commitment to make this event a remarkable opportunity for the educational advancement of the Mexican, Mexican-American and Latino population in Northern California.

NOTE: Press attending the event can receive their credentials by calling (916) 464-8237

SOURCE Latino Policy Coalition