Latino Youth Leadership Academy
Housed within the Latin American Association’s Youth Department, the Latino Youth Leadership Academy is an after-school program passionate about equipping the next generation of Latino youth with the right tools for them to succeed both academically and personally.
LYLA Themes:
- College & Career Exploration
- Workforce Development
- Mental Health
- Cultural Identity
- Financial Aid (FAFSA & Scholarships)
- Parent Guidance & Involvement
Program Benefits:
- College & Career Readiness
- Be amongst the first to hear about scholarships & financial aid opportunities
- Opportunities to hear from leaders in the community
- A space to be with your friends and meet new people
- Be a part of field trips such as Atlanta Utd. games, Alliance Theater, corporate office visits, and college tours
- Volunteering Opportunities
Partnering Schools:
- Cross Keys High School
- Meadowcreek High School
- Chamblee High School
- Lakeside High School
- Dalton Academy
- Lilburn Middle School
- Sequoyah Middle School
Building Bright Futures: 42% of Students in This Program Hold a 3.5 GPA or Above! 42 of students that receive services from the LAA hold a 3.5 GPA or above!
Don’t See Your School Here?
We offer programming for all students in Atlanta, Dalton, and beyond.
LYLA Events
The Latino Youth Leadership Conference
LYLA’s keynote event will be the Latino Youth Leadership Conference. The LYLC is here to motivate Latinx students to pursue higher education and continue the conversation of exploring pathways to be successful; whether that is a 4-year college, a technical school, or a trade school.
Contact information
- Email: LAndino@thelaa.org
Phone: (678) 663 – 2332 - Email: cgrimaldo@thelaa.org
Phone: (404) 915 – 8895
Service Centers:
- Dekalb
Pathway to College: A 3-Part Virtual Workshop
Program Description
Join the Latin American Association for our virtual series, “Pathway to College.” This 3-part program is designed for both students and parents to navigate the journey from high school to college and beyond. Whether you’re figuring out what comes next after high school or need guidance on college admissions and financial aid, we’ve got you covered. Sessions are available at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day, offering the same information in both English and Spanish. This will be offered in the spring and fall periods. Registration is required.
72% of Participants Rated Pathway to College 5 Stars for Empowering Their Future Choices!
Eligibility
- Open to all high school students and their parents.
- Free registration
Program Benefits:
- Informed Choices: Learn the pros and cons of 2-year versus 4-year programs, trade schools, and various fields.
- Admissions Guidance: Get advice on SAT, ACT, Accuplacer tests, application essays, and more. Understand the admissions timeline and terms.
- Financial Aid Info: Understand the types of grants, scholarships, loans, and the FAFSA process.
- Bilingual: Information presented in both English and Spanish.
Sign-Up
- Registration is required to attend. Session times are at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
College & Career Resources (Year-round services)
College & Career Advising for High Schoolers
Program Description
The LAA Youth Services provides individualized counseling for 12th-grade students, covering crucial topics like FAFSA, college applications, career advising, scholarships, opportunities for international and DACA/undocumented students. Register below to schedule virtual appointments.
Note: Our role is to serve as an informational hub; we do not apply for college & career opportunities on behalf of the students. However, we do offer a comprehensive list of scholarships and resources.
Eligibility
- Open to all high schoolers (12th grade).
- Free registration
Program Benefits:
- Focused Career Guidance: Undivided attention and advice to each student’s unique situation and goals.
- Comprehensive Resources: Get access to an extensive list of scholarships and other valuable resources.
- Cost-Free: This service is entirely free.
- Virtual Appointments: Receive counseling anywhere.
Sign-Up
- To request assistance or schedule an appointment, please fill out our form [intake form], call (404) 638-1839 or visit our office.
Service Centers
- Virtual Appointments.
Our partners are: Emory, Georgia State, Kennesaw, Oglethorp, GPTC, UGA, Dalton State College
VOE: Career and Education Window at the Mexican Consulate
Program Description
The Career and Education Window (Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa or VOE) is a special program in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta. It offers valuable advising and orientations for students and parents on an array of topics including college options, financial aid, scholarships, and workforce development. Sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta.
Eligibility
- Open to all students and parents interested in education and career development.
- No prior registration required.
Program Benefits:
- Diverse Educational Paths: Get information about 2-year and 4-year college programs as well as technical schools.
- Financial Guidance: Learn about financial aid and scholarships.
- Workforce Development: Gain insights into career opportunities and how to prepare for them.
Session Details
- Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday
- Location: Consulate General of Mexico, Atlanta
The following websites are valuable sources of information for latino students who want to go to college.
- The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute offers a directory of scholarships for Hispanic students.
- The website of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute offers a current guide to pre-college programs, internships, scholarships and financial aid.
- Early colleges –small schools where students can earn a high school diploma with the potential to earn an associate’s degree or two years of college credit toward a bachelor’s in five years or less – can be an option for some Georgia students.
- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is a place where students of Hispanic backgrounds can apply for a general scholarship and many others.
- GA Futures is where students must register in order to receive the HOPE scholarship. The site is also a great tool to find and apply to Georgia Universities and Colleges.
- Golden Door Scholars is am excellent website to find scholarships for undocumented students.
- Online Colleges is a place where you can find degrees that are offered online.
- Bestcolleges.com offers a wealth of scholarships and other financial aid resources for Latino students, undocumented or not.
- TheBestColleges.org compiled a list of 10 colleges that offer free tuition.