Barriers of Access to Four-Year Colleges for Latinos in the United States

Abstract

This paper examines and seeks to address the unique cluster of disadvantages that impair access to four-year colleges for Latino students in the United States. Latinos constitute the nation's fastest-growing minority group and face pervasive poverty, which is created and maintained in part by low educational attainment. I have identified and explained six key barriers to Latino educational attainment: Language barriers, parental educational attainment, stigma, legal status, parental working conditions, and cost. I conclude by explaining the value of introducing bilingual education programs and increasing support for parents in reducing the prevalence and impact of these barriers, thus improving educational outcomes for Latino students.