<p>“I don’t qualify for federal financial aid because of my immigration status. As mentioned in my post, even though my case HAS been approved and it’s just a matter of about 5 years and thus, I’m a legal immigrant, a “notice of approval” is not enough and does not make me eligible for financial aid from the government. Neither does a “tax payer” number instead of a SSN.”</p>
<p>Are your parents legal? Do you qualify for instate tuition? What does it mean to be a “legal immigrant”?</p>
<p>I believe he means he’s a legal alien in the country on a Visa rather than a permanent resident (Green card). Same deal as my friend.</p>
<p>The problem with Hispanics, is that they are to busy being " gangsters " and lose themselves , with no coming back. Another problem is that a lot of Hispanic parents are not educated enough to talk about with their students about the SAT or any other college aspects. I am Latino, btw, and my mother came from a “poor” family but my grandparents always stressed the importance of education, she went to Harvard and Yale, and now she is an investment banker. We are wealthy Hispanics and live in a " white " neighborhood , all because my grandparents stressed the importance of education, which I do not see from a lot of Hispanic parents, not all, but a good amount. It is sad to say, but it is all true, and as a community we have a long way to establishing our selves well in the US.</p>
<p>“I believe he means he’s a legal alien in the country on a Visa rather than a permanent resident (Green card). Same deal as my friend.”</p>
<p>So if a US citizen was in Canada or the UK as a “legal alien” (and I’m still not quite sure what that status means), would the US citizen be eligible for the same benefits as a citizen of those countires, or is full financial and other equality an unreal expectation for a “legal alien” in any country?</p>
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<p>A legal immigrant is “a person who has come to this country lawfully with the intention of permanently residing and who has completed all necessary steps (e.g. has obtained the Green Card) required to become an American citizen.”</p>
<p>There is such a thing as an illegal immigrant. It is “a person who has come to this country through either lawful or unlawful means with the intention of permanently residing and who has either overstayed a Visa or refused to complete all necessary steps required to become an American citizen.”</p>
<p>A legal alien is “a person who enters a country lawfully who may or may not have the intention of permanently residing.”</p>
<p>A U.S. citizen who is classified as an international student in Canada or the United Kingdom should not be eligible for the benefits accorded to Canadian or United Kingdom citizens. If full financial equality is defined as asking international students to apy the same as domestic students, then it is typically not afforded to foreign citizens.</p>
<p>Forgive my saying so, but I have the feeling that you believe there’s no such thing as an illegal immigrant. Am I right?</p>
<p>“Forgive my saying so, but I have the feeling that you believe there’s no such thing as an illegal immigrant. Am I right?”</p>
<p>If you are asking me, I think that anyone who entered this country illegally and doesn’t have legal documents is illegal. </p>
<p>I just didn’t think there were so many grey zones for expectations per financial aid.</p>
<p>Are people with green cards eligible for Federal loans, or just US citizens? I am not sure still why the student who said he is not eligible for financial aid isn’t?</p>
<p>I see I was mistaken. Thank you, collegialmom.</p>
<p>I’m not sure, but I believe students with green cards (c.f. student visas) are eligible for federal loans.</p>
<p>“You sound like you’re proud of failing in Spanish! Kinda like the people of Mexican descent that negate their great heritage and say they’ve never even been to Mexico.”</p>
<p>What if they really haven’t… Are they negating their heritage? If that’s so, that 's the biggest load of bull I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading.</p>
<p>“Per Spanish TV, there was a program in the recent past that was a contest judging which young lady had the most charming backside. I thought the program was appalling, but it was the favorite show of one of my employees, a young woman who is of Hispanic/Latina origin.”</p>
<p>While I guess it might not be seen as “proper” to some people, is there something genuinely wrong with the show? The truth of the matter is that a large portion of the population find that Latinas generally have a more appealing “backside.” Looks and appearance is something many Latinos take pride in, part of culture. </p>
<p>“I don’t qualify for federal financial aid because of my immigration status.”</p>
<p>It was the same situation with my dad. After crossing the border illegally he grew up in LA and Compton and had absolutely no money for college. Latinos generally have a great work ethic, so he went to work, but after working for so long you tend to lose sight of that old college goal. </p>
<p>"The problem with Hispanics, is that they are to busy being " gangsters " and lose themselves , with no coming back. "</p>
<p>First of all, not all Hispanics are gangbangers, and to say there’s no coming back only shows ignorance, because that’s not true at all, I know because it’s happened to a family member of mine. And if they are, it’s usually for their own protection and/or for money to support their families. You’re in a great financial status, so you might not understand what I mean there, but I think you do. The truth is is that drug dealers make a decent amount of money for the amount of time they work, and if you really need that money, it looks pretty damn appealing. </p>
<p>“It is sad to say, but it is all true, and as a community we have a long way to establishing our selves well in the US.”</p>
<p>I understand what you’re saying there, but I disagree completely. We already have a very strong presence in the US.</p>
<p>According to Dennis “The problem with Hispanics, is that they are to busy being " gangsters " and lose themselves , with no coming back.”</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about you except what you wrote on post #83 so I can only STRONGLY recommend that you take a couple of trips out of your “white” neighborhood and try to meet some real Hispanics. Fortunately you may not have to travel that far, if at all, and your Spanish (if you also took advantage of that opportunity) should help. Ask them how many jobs they have and how many hours they work. I doubt they have any time left for the gangster lifestyle. I am not that naive to presume gangs are not a problem in our community but your statement is way off base.</p>
<p>By the way I do agree with you that too many Hispanic parents do not have the education, experience and resources to guide their children through the college admissions process.</p>
<p>Count your blessings amigo…</p>
<p>“While I guess it might not be seen as “proper” to some people, is there something genuinely wrong with the show? The truth of the matter is that a large portion of the population find that Latinas generally have a more appealing “backside.” Looks and appearance is something many Latinos take pride in, part of culture.”</p>
<p>I believe the words are “sexist and demeaning” if this is the way that woman have to win contests on Spanish TV. Or maybe a better word is “despicable.” Maybe this kind of attitude could make it more difficult for Hispanic /Latina women to be taken seriously, go to college, etc etc etc. Or should they be barmaids instead and show off their backsides? </p>
<p>I didn’t see any shows where men have to compete by showing their buttocks. Where’s the equality? Or do none of them want to be taken seriously?</p>
<p>On second thought, if this is your culture that is celebrated, go for it. I’m then assuming that the woman want to put this on their college applications? Oh wait, the prupose of this thread was to show that they don’t very often get to college!</p>
<p>
If he only has Notice to Apply for Permanent Residence status, he is not eligible for any Federal financial aid. </p>
<p>You can get Federal financial aid if you are a US citizen, are a permanent resident (have a green card) or are an eligible non-citizen (refugee, asylee, parolee, or some country-specific statuses)</p>
<p>I completely agree with collegialmom on this. </p>
<p>Armando said:</p>
<p>“While I guess it might not be seen as “proper” to some people, is there something genuinely wrong with the show? The truth of the matter is that a large portion of the population find that Latinas generally have a more appealing “backside.” Looks and appearance is something many Latinos take pride in, part of culture.”</p>
<p>EXACTLY. Part of our culture, unfortunately, is to take lots of pride in LOOKS RATHER THAN EDUCATION. When, when Armando have you tuned in to the Spanish networks to find an educational show? Im not talking about CNN in spanish, Im talking about the MAINSTREAM Spanish Media that it’s the only thing MOST immigrants can afford. </p>
<p>So then, it’s not very surprising that alot of Latinos don’t choose to go to college. With all the factors I mentioned before, it’s not like Hispanic students are guided in the right direction, now does it?</p>
<p>Have you heard of the word “Chongas” Armando? I hadn’t until about a week ago. Do you know what it means? If you look it up in the Internet, THIS is what it says: (PLEASE READ)</p>
<p>"A girl of Hispanic origin, usually between the ages of 12 and 19, but sometimes as young as 8. Primarily found in Miami (most famously, in Hialeah), the chonga is known for her cheap form of dress, a combination of the so-called gangstalook and that of a PROSTITUTE, but can vary between the two… she may wear oversized men’s t-shirts with tight, usually white Brazilian pants, with a COLORED THONG worn underneath that shows through (on purpose). "</p>
<p>taken from <a href=“http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chonga[/url]”>Urban Dictionary: Chonga;
<p>Okay so it’s from a “urban dictionary.” But that’s not the point. The point is that THIS is how people look at Latinas. And it’s all thanks to shows that check “WHO HAS THE MOST APPEALING BACKSIDE!!!” that makes young, fragile girls WANT to have the biggest butt so they can parade it and MAKE THEIR PARENTS PROUD. </p>
<p>WHAT HAPPENED TO COLLEGE?!?!?!</p>
<p>OH nevermind. It’s not as important as appearance in our culture, now is it?</p>
<p>And by the way, I used to live in Miami, I KNOW what these girls wear, I know how they act. It disgusts me. I’ve seen 13 year olds date 26, 30 year olds. And no, Im not some ugly girl “jealous” of idiots appearing in TV. I’m very proud of how I look because Im beautiful (I was invited to participate in Miss Hispanic U.S.A) BUT I DENIED IT. Because you know what? I am worth much more that. And I will NEVER, ever give ANYBODY reason to call me a “chonga.”</p>
<p>And on the immigration thing, tli83 is right, I only have a “Notice of Approval” which means I have been approved and thus get my green card in about 5 years. So yes, Im here legally, yes I have been accepted, but no, Im not eligible for financial aid. </p>
<p>But this is not about me, it’s about the thousands of situations like this one that FURTHER discourage young Hispanic students to pursue a higher education.</p>
<p>Perhaps the hispanics cannot get a Stafford or PLUS loans because they cannot verify status through a TIN. Perhaps, for males, they cannot get guaranteed student loans because they cannot register for selective service. </p>
<p>According to the Debt Poll, a good # of students can graduate debt fee, at least Student Debt free. But then a good # of students borrow to go to school. Two questions: Can nondocumented students borrow? and if there documented status, how many can afford the 15-20K for state tuition?</p>
<p>“According to the Debt Poll, a good # of students can graduate debt fee, at least Student Debt free. But then a good # of students borrow to go to school. Two questions: Can nondocumented students borrow? and if there documented status, how many can afford the 15-20K for state tuition?”</p>
<p>The problem is that a VERY HIGH number of Hispanic teenagers, male and female, legal and illegal, drop out of high school because education is not part of the cultural norm. They don’t get far enough to consider financial options. They don’t go to less expensive community colleges to start their education after HS because they don’t even have a high school education.</p>
<p>MetdethGNR: How do the parents of these “Chongas” view this whole process? Such as underage girls dating older men? Where does it lead to? What do these girls eventually do with their lives?</p>
<p>By the way, I assume that you will find ways to get through college financially, as you seem very resourceful. I wish you much luck and happiness in the future.</p>
<p>Folks, how can you make such generalizations about “Hispanic” culture. Yes, it’s a sad fact that dropping out of high school is not an unusual event in the migrant, working class or poorer segments of Hispanic immigrants. However, in certain majority latino communities in places like New Mexico and Texas, there have always been well-established individuals and families where education is a primary goal. And of course, many of us have met or heard about elite and middle-class students from Mexico who studied in the U.S.</p>
<p>“NRCCUA and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation are launching MiCollegeOptions.org, a service specifically designed to help Hispanic students with the college planning process. More information will be available at <a href=“http://www.mycollegeoptions.org/[/url]”>http://www.mycollegeoptions.org/</a> by July 1st.
NRCCUA - The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) is a non-profit education research organization based in Lee’s Summit, Mo. For more information, visit <a href=“http://www.nrccua.org/[/url]”>http://www.nrccua.org/</a>. NRCCU”</p>
<p>This thread was started from a press release by organizations highlighting the problem with Hispanics in this country not going to college.</p>
<p>Since there are 15-20 million illegal Mexican immigrants in this country, many of whom never finish HS and whose children drop out of HS at quite an alarming rate (about 70% of male Mexican teenagers drop out of HS in NYC), this is a huge issue in terms of having millions of new immigrants who are undereducated in this country. I doubt that many of these workers will be literate in either language.</p>
<p>Of course, there are many successful Hispanic people in this country. But as the press release points out or implies, there are millions who will stay in low-paying jobs or require billions of dollars a year in government services, due to lack of education, health care insurance, etc etc etc.</p>
<p>To add numbers to the above position … the study by Brian J. Gottlob is both fascinating and alarming:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.ncpa.org/prs/rel/2007/20070212.html[/url]”>http://www.ncpa.org/prs/rel/2007/20070212.html</a></p>
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<p>however on the cultural aspect, it is often a sign of respect for elders that younger generations do not try to get higher education because it wud mean they are “smarter” and “better” than their elders. the hispanic population doesnt care as much if a son advances his father’s small manufacturing business without obtaining higher education, however for some (not all) families the idea of having their child go to a prestigious school and earn much more than their parents earn is unacceptable. this was basically told to me by a hispanic friend (i live outside of dallas) who said this is a relatively true generalization, especially among lower income hispanics</p>
<p>westsidewolf, while I haven’t personally heard that (and I do have close associates who are educated, middle-class Mexicans living in this country), I won’t challenge you on that for the moment. If that is true, though, any country which depends on a reasonably well informed & literate electorate for the maximum functioning of its participatory democracy, would have justification for being concerned with cultural misalignment, & should consider just how high a percentage of such immigrants they would want to admit on a regular basis.</p>
<p>(Concern about the sons outperforming the fathers has not been an issue of my associates, however.) The fathers, like fathers of many other cultures, have wanted the sons to outperform them, for such would be a sign of the father’s success.:)</p>