To improve the number of minority students interested in higher education, several organizations are making effort to create programs that will provide information needed for pursuing an advanced degree.
A recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center found that the most common reason Hispanic youth aren't enrolling in higher education is because their parents don't know the steps needed to help prepare their children for school. In an effort to encourage Hispanic students to pursue an advanced degree, The Advertising Council and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign, which will provide parents with information on higher education.
Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the council, stated that "Hispanic parents and their children see college as important, but are at a disadvantage because many have not had the opportunity to attend college themselves." She added that "by providing these parents with the necessary resources to better educate themselves for the college process, we can encourage all Hispanic parents to guide their children to a college degree."
The new PSAs will be distributed to over 33,000 media outlets throughout the country, and will air during advertising time donated by the media.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 bachelors degrees holders earned about $1,121 per week, while individuals who only had a high school diploma made $638 per week.
