ALAS works directly with the local Latinx community by
providing scholarships to DACA and undocumented students attending colleges and universities in Western North Carolina,
preparing new Latinx leaders for positions that help effect change through nonprofit board trainings and mentorships, and
partnering with area anchor organizations to ensure increased Latinx representation in leadership.
“This scholarship has made college more accessible to me. I no longer have to work as many hours as last semester. Now I can concentrate on my grades and being the best student I can be. Also since I won’t have to work as much, I get to spend more time with my family and I am very thankful for that.”
Scholarships
Improving access to education for Latinx youth through scholarships is one of several ways that we are working together as Latinx community leaders to develop the strong Latinx leaders of tomorrow.
In the state of North Carolina, undocumented students are charged out-of-state tuition. Due to the financial aid requirements, undocumented students do not have access to the same state and federal aid that many students do.
Out-of-state tuition for an undocumented student at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) costs $4,288 for 16 credit hours. In-state peers of undocumented students pay just $1,216 for the same 16 hours. It doesn’t matter if this student has Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) or if their family has paid taxes in Asheville most of their life.
This makes it very challenging for students to pay for tuition and books. It also restricts the amount of classes that these students can take at a time, and many are forced to discontinue their education altogether.
Through our scholarships, we hope to fulfill the dreams of undocumented students who attend A-B Tech. The ALAS scholarships are one way to offset some of the costs these students have and provide a form of funding that they would normally not have access to.
ALAS also aims to raise awareness about the issues that undocumented students face when paying for college. In the coming years, our goal is to secure more funds so that we can increase our level of giving and expand scholarships to other colleges and universities in our area.
Past ALAS Merit Scholarships
2021–22 School Year
Seven $1,200 scholarships to A-B Tech Latinx students
Eleven scholarships (ten $600 and one $1,200) to Latinx students attending colleges and universities in Western North Carolina
2019–20 School Year
Four $1,200 scholarships to A-B Tech Latinx students
Seven $600 scholarships to Latinx students attending colleges and universities in Western North Carolina
Two $2,000 special scholarships to A-B Tech Latinx students funded by GANAS scholarship
2018–19 School Year
Three $1,200 scholarships to A-B Tech Latinx students
Five $600 scholarships to Latinx students attending colleges and universities in Western North Carolina
2017–18 School Year
Four $1,200 scholarships to A-B Tech Latinx students
Two $2,200 scholarships to A-B Tech Latinx students transferring for bachelor’s degrees
Two $495 grants to A-B Tech Latinx students for DACA renewal fees
2016–17 School Year
Two $1,000 scholarships to A-B Tech Latinx students
2015–16 School Year
One $1,000 scholarship to A-B Tech Latinx student
2014–15 School Year
One $1,000 scholarship to A-B Tech Latinx student
2013–14 School Year
One $1,000 Scholarship to A-B Tech Latinx student
Board Readiness and Nonprofit Board Development
ALAS fosters Latinx leadership by offering trainings on board readiness and alternative leadership models. It is our goal to directly increase Latinx involvement in existing programs as well as to develop and collaborate on informational and skill-building workshops.
Emerging Latinx leaders can gain new skills in board roles and responsibilities and on how to be a successful leader in a volunteer-led organization. These board-ready topics include financials, sustainability, fundraising, succession planning, and board management and development to other Latinxs in the area.