Hobsons and HACU join forces to prepare Hispanic students for college
Students in Western and Southwestern states to benefit from culture-specific college information

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Global education information provider Hobsons and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) today announced plans to publish and distribute free regional college guides for Hispanic students. The first three guides will be released this Fall and will highlight institutions serving Hispanics in California, Texas, and the Southwestern states.

“With the Hispanic population continuing to be the fastest-growing and youngest group in the U.S., it is obvious that there is a need for resources and education on college choices specific to this demographic group,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio Flores. “The regional editions of The Hobsons Guide for College-Bound Hispanic Students will help connect Hispanic students in California, Texas, and the Southwest with institutions that are committed to their success.”

According to a report released by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Hispanics will comprise 21% of the graduating class of 2008. Since 1988, the Western states have graduated the most Hispanic students, with that number expected to double by 2013-2014 and Hispanic students comprising approximately one-third of its graduates. This surge means that many colleges and universities will be competing for these students and searching for ways to generate awareness in the Hispanic community.

“We are excited to provide colleges and universities with an opportunity to promote their programs for Hispanic students and focus on diversifying their campuses,” said Flores. “The guides offer a way for institutions to reach these talented students in regions where the Hispanic population is growing fastest.”

The regional guides will include information on scholarships, financial aid, internship programs for Hispanic students, as well as college and Hispanic student profiles.

In 2004, the national edition of The Hobsons Guide for College-Bound Hispanic Students was distributed at more than 3,000 high schools and 50 college fairs, with more than 100 colleges participating. The regional guides will be distributed to every high school with more than 50 Hispanic students in the targeted regions.

HACU, which also maintains advocacy offices in Washington, D.C., represents more than 350 colleges and universities that altogether serve more than two-thirds of all Hispanic higher education students. Those campuses include federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or HSIs, which have a full-time student enrollment that is at least 25 percent Hispanic. HACU's international membership extends its reach to higher education institutions throughout Latin America and in Spain.

With more than 100 publications disseminated to students in 160 countries each year, Hobsons is the single largest worldwide provider of education and recruitment information. These publications include Hobsons Guide to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hobsons Guide to Diversity on Campus. With headquarters in the United Kingdom, Hobsons has offices in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Argentina, Germany, France, Switzerland, Hungary and Poland.

For more information about HACU, call (210) 692-3805. Or visit www.hacu.net.
For more information about Hobsons, call (800) 927-8439. Or visit www.hobsons.com.

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