The Indiana Latino Scholarship Fund was founded out of the desire and need to help talented Latino students in Indiana to realize their dreams of attending higher institutions of education.

In 2007, Sergio Aguilera, the first Mexican Consulate to Indiana, approached the Central Indiana Community Foundation and Strada Education Network about starting a fund that would support scholarship efforts for Indiana Hispanic/Latino youth. The fund was formed with member organizations: Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), La Plaza, Mexican Scholarship Fund, Project Stepping Stone (PSS), Sociedad de Amigos de Colombia (SADCO) and Strada Education Network.

By creating a fund that would support the key Latino community-based organizations that already provide scholarships to Latino students, the combined efforts and resources for fundraising generates a larger pool of funds. This, in turn, provides increased financial opportunities of awarded scholarships for qualified Indiana Latino students.

According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education 2018 College Equity Report, Hispanic students are the least likely group to enroll in college, but have early success in college rates above that of minority students. As Hispanic students continue to make up a larger portion of the higher education pipeline, the commission has identified the need for more efforts to increase college access rates for Hispanic students.

The Indiana Latino Scholarship Fund supports and encourages top Indiana Latino students to realize and achieve their dreams of attending higher institutions of education. As the largest scholarship fund for Latinos in Indiana, ILSF has supported Indiana’s Latino students and given over $3 million in scholarships since 2007. 

ILSF alliance members work year-round to raise money, plan events, and spread awareness of the impact ILSF scholarships have on top Latino students across Indiana. In 2019 we held the “1st and Goal for Education” and we continue this theme in 2021 with our virtual “Goals & Dreams” fundraiser. These fundraisers bring together community leaders whose passions and willingness to support talented Latino scholars inspire us to make a difference in our state. Please consider sponsoring this years ILSF virtual gala— your support will impact our future leaders!