LAEF- Creating pathways to higher education for Latino students in Colorado

The Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF) is focusing on the future of Colorado by investing in its brightest and most driven Latino students. For 75 years we have identified, cultivated, supported and highlighted bright young minds throughout the state, and enabled them to grow in their career pursuits in STEM via scholarship and professional opportunities. 

A key component of our scholars’ achievement is not only the financial support LAEF provides, but also the access to a success coach. Our success coaches help college students navigate campus life, utilize university resources to their fullest potential and provide counsel on career opportunities. This holistic, culturally-centered, support is critical for the success of the students we work with, especially knowing that of the 121 scholarships awarded in 2024, 81% of these scholars were first-generation college students. 

We rely on community donations and industry partners for our scholarships— Google Fiber’s support funded four scholarships this year alone. Once students are part of LAEF, we make the commitment to renew that scholarship every year for the duration of their college education. 

Through our match opportunities we build on donations from industry partners dollar-for-dollar, enabling our donors to double their impact and allowing us to reach twice as many students. 

As the longest serving Latino scholarship foundation in the state of Colorado with a 75-year history, we have unique insight into how the demand for scholarships is growing exponentially across the state.  

Over the past 10-15 years, we have seen more and more Latinos pursue a higher education in Colorado, but the biggest barrier remains access to financial resources, especially amid the increasing costs to attend college. 

Last year LAEF had 525 students apply for our scholarship program and we had the capacity to provide awards to 121 students. However, there is still work to be done to meet rising scholarship demand.

As we look to the years ahead, partnering with other nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado, securing long-term support from our industry partners like GFiber has never been more important. 

This support represents an investment in the very future of Colorado. By 2050, Latinos are projected to comprise more than 35% of the state population. In this way, our work has a direct impact on not only today’s students, but the future innovators, entrepreneurs, and STEM workforce of the state of Colorado.

Just like GFiber is an innovative, forward-looking company, this is next-generation work for us. We’re looking at the future, finding ways to support students and create pathways to higher education.  

Posted by Nick Lopez, President & CEO LAEF