WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. (October 13, 2026) — Latino U College Access (LUCA) has announced that its Scholars Program will now be open to high school juniors beyond its partner school districts, marking a significant expansion in the program’s 14-year history. The program is aimed at first-generation, high-achieving students who meet specific eligibility requirements.
A virtual information session for interested students and their families is scheduled for Monday, October 19, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., with applications due by November 2. Students can register for the session online.
Since its founding in 2012, LUCA has served first-generation students in eight partner school districts throughout Westchester County. This expansion seeks to address the unmet need for guidance among talented, low-income students who are prepared for selective colleges but lack the necessary support.
“Talent is everywhere, but guidance isn’t,” said Faith Ann Butcher, Chief Executive Officer of Latino U College Access. “Too many first-generation students with outstanding records never apply to the colleges where they could thrive, simply because no one has shown them the path. Opening our Scholars Program beyond our partner districts lets us reach those students wherever they are, and help them graduate from college on time, career-ready, and with little to no debt.”
What Scholars Receive
Selected students receive personalized support through every step of the college admissions and financial aid process, including creating a college list, essay writing, application completion, and financial aid applications.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must be in 11th grade, first-generation college students in the U.S., eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, take rigorous courses, and demonstrate leadership.
Applications can be submitted online, and inquiries can be directed to Selena Drinks or Camila Puerta Hincapie at LUCA.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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