GRACIAS is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to providing resources and mentorship to students and families in Latino Communities to expand access to higher education. GRACIAS Leadership Team ¡Bienvenidos to the GRACIAS Leadership Team! Our team is composed of dedicated individuals who are passionate about making lasting, positive impact on metro Atlanta's LatinX community. GRACIAS' leadership also come from diverse backgrounds, studying and working in various fields such as business, education, and social work. "Valuable Change with Quality Leaders..." With our combined knowledge, talents, and expertise in our dedicated fields, we are committed to creating a better future for Atlanta's LatinX population through our leadership and community involvement. Directors Ricardo Ramos Founder & President Saludos! I graduated from Georgia Tech last year with a Bachelor's of Science. Aside from managing this nonprofit, I work full-time as a EMT for Grady and coach youth soccer in Lindbergh. Born and raised in metro Atlanta, I love to give back to my community. I also enjoy going to the gym and traveling. Support Team Arizbeth Gallegos Lopez Website Manager Hola! I'm Arizbeth and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Ga into a Mexican immigrant family. I am a 5th year business student at Georgia Tech who is pursuing an industrial design minor with language certificates. As someone who has lived in the Atlanta community and has been directly affected by the lack of resources for pursuing higher education, I am passionate about the GRACIAS nonprofit and its mission to help our community’s aspiring college students and adult learners. College Chapter Presidents Isabella Rodriguez Georgia Institute of Technology College Chapter President Hola!! I am a third year Biology major at georgia tech with a minor in spanish and biomedical engineering. On campus, you can find me at the HIVE makerspace where I am the director of outreach, at the streelman lab where I do research with Malawi Cichlids, or under a tree reading.

Don't know where to start your search for colleges and universities in Georgia? Our College List has you covered! Georgia-based technical, community, public, and private colleges and universities all in one place. Find the Right College for Your Future Don't know where to start your search for colleges and universities in Georgia? Our College List has you covered! With Georgia-based technical, community, public, and private colleges and universities all in one place, you can easily browse and compare the best schools for you! We are committed to making your college search easier and more accessible. We appreciate you for taking steps towards your best future for the good of our community. GRACIAS for pursuing your dreams! Our College List 1 Technical & Community Colleges A comprehensive list of local community colleges. Keep in mind that our list is just a guide, and we encourage you to do thorough research before making your final choice. List of Community Colleges 2 Public Colleges & Universities A comprehensive list of public universities and colleges. A public college or university is a state-sponsored institution that provides affordable higher education to students from all backgrounds. List of Public Colleges 3 Private Colleges & Universities A comprehensive list of private institutions in Georgia. Private schools offer a variety of academic programs, smaller class sizes, and unique opportunities for students. List of Private Colleges

The GRACIAS Mentorship Program is designed to support rising college students by providing them with guidance and resources to achieve their educational and career goals. GRACIAS 2025-26 Mentorship Program GRACIAS' Mentorship Program is back to support LatinX North Georgia high school students by providing them with mentorship throughout the college application, admissions, and financial aid process. Our program pairs senior high school students from North Georgia high schools with local LatinX college students to provide mentorship through personalized advice and support informed from their first-hand experience. The Transition From High School To College Our unique approach extends mentorship into the first semester of college, ensuring a smoother transition from high school to higher education. By matching mentees with mentors attending the colleges they aspire to join, we help foster a supportive and familiar environment that encourages academic success and personal growth. Mentor & Mentee Applications Are you interesting in becoming a mentor or mentee? Mentorship What is the program's goal? To help LatinX aspiring college students successfully navigate the college application, admissions, and financial aid process. What will this program provide? Information on valuable college resources, dedicated mentor to whom ask specific questions, and support throughout the college process. Mentors Who is eligible? LatinX college students and recent graduates who are interested in helping LatinX high schoolers through the college application process and transition experience. How do I apply? Apply though this Application Form . When is the deadline? September 8, 2025 Mentees Who is eligible? LatinX high school students who are looking for guidance on the college application process from those who went through it and overcame barriers towards higher education. How do I apply? Apply through this Application Form . When is the deadline? September 8, 2025 Mentorship Program FAQs Will my personal information be shared with anyone? GRACIAS is a private, non-profit organization with no affiliation to any governing body or school. Your information will solely be used for pairing mentors with mentees and no distributed anywhere else. Is the Mentorship Program only open to US Citizens? Guided by our goal, this mentorship program is open to all members of the Latino community regardless your citizenship status. This program is open to US citizens, noncitizens, DACA recipients, and undocumented high school students. We will never ask for any form of documentation regarding your identity nor citizenship. However, you must be able to demonstrate record of enrollment at a school part of a Metro Atlanta school district and proof of residence. How do I provide proof of enrollment? While applying, you must provide one of the following: Notarized certificate of school enrollment form Official or unofficial school transcript Most recent progress or grade report Current school identification card, issued by the school or school system Other forms of school identification

From volunteering at our community outreach events, volunteering at our fundraising events or coordinating our upcoming events, we have various volunteer opportunities and leadership positions available! Get Involved! Find out how you can get involved in the community through GRACIAS today! Learn More The "G" Stands for Growing... From volunteering at our community outreach events, volunteering at our fundraising events or coordinating our upcoming events, we have volunteer and leadership positions available. If you are interested in gaining leadership and interpersonal skills while helping contribute to our community, please click the link to learn more about our available positions and apply today! Check out our volunteer positions here! Volunteer Opportunities To inquire about volunteer positions, check out our application above to learn about open opportunities. You can also take a look at our Leadership page to learn more about the types of positions available at GRACIAS. To learn about upcoming volunteer events, check out our Upcoming Events or Events Calendar sections. You can also check out our Past Events and "A Look Back..." to learn more about the type of events we host! Finally, we offer many programs and resources at GRACIAS, from WhatsApp Forums, mentorship, and webinars, that require volunteers year-round to help parents, students, and adults in our community achieve their educational goals. Volunteer Positions Volunteer Events Volunteer Programs WhatsApp Join our WhatsApp General Volunteer Forum to stay updated on volunteer opportunities, events, and any other updates about activities at GRACIAS. Join GRACIAS WhatsApp!

GRACIAS is a Metro Atlanta non-profit dedicated to providing resources for students and families in Latino communities to expand access to higher education. Empower Your Education Journey with Gracias Our Core Mission GRACIAS, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit that is dedicated to providing mentorship and resources to LatinX high school students and continuing education adults in the metro Atlanta area with the goal of expanding access to higher education in one of Georgia's most underserved communities. GRACIAS Common Barriers to Higher Education Insufficient Funds to Afford Higher Education Limited Access to College Preparation & Support Unawareness of Admissions Process & Financial Aid Extended Duties & Financial Responsibilities Cultural and Familial Expectations Imposter Syndrome & First-Generation Experience Support Education Empowerment with GRACIAS, Inc. At GRACIAS, we are committed to elevating metro Atlanta's LatinX community through education empowerment, where guidance and support of high school students in the college application and career development process contribute to self-actualization, community development, and strengthening Georgia's economy and workforce. ¡DONATE TODAY! The Atlanta LatinX Community Growing Population & Early Childhood Education Metro Atlanta is home to one of the fastest-growing Latino populations in the Southeast. Today, Latino youth make up over 25-30% of Pre-K-12 public school enrollment in several metro area districts, higher than state average. The College Completion Gap The College Completion Gap: Only ~30% of Latino adults in Georgia hold an Associate degree or higher, compared to over 45% of white adults. For 4-year Bachelor's degrees, Latino adult attainment sits at roughly 21%. Systemic Barriers to Completion Financial Strain & Workforce Demands : High costs combined with household financial needs often force bright young adults to balance full-time work with studies or pause their degree altogether. First-Generation System Navigation : Complex college financial aid, admissions, and career placement processes can be daunting for first-generation students without direct family guidance. Tuition & Policy Restrictions : Limited access to in-state tuition equity and state-funded financial aid creates significant financial hurdles for post-secondary success, especially within a mixed-status community. Check out our latest videos and posts on the GRACIAS_ATL Instagram page! FOLLOW US Get Involved! Looking to get involved with GRACIAS and helping our community? Join our WhatsApp to connect with volunteer opportunities! JOIN US GRACIAS for helping! Subscribe to the GRACIAS Newsletter! Get updates on GRACIAS latest events & activities... First name Last name I am a... High School Student College Student Student Parent/Relative High School Administrator/Teacher College Administrator/Professor Newsletter Preferred Language English Spanish Both Email SUBSCRIBE GRACIAS for subscribing! "A Look Back" at Our Past Events... 2026

GRACIAS @GSU We are excited to announce the launch of GRACIAS's first college chapter at Georgia State University! Become a member to take part in our initiative to help students overcome barriers to education and give back to the Latino community. GRACIAS @GSU Panther Involvement Network JOIN US Interested in joining us? Add us on PIN! Get Involved! 🐾 If you are a Georgia State student and are interested in getting involved with the GRACIAS @GSU chapter, attend our general body meetings, follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and join us at our events! "A Look Back" with GRACIAS @GSU Georgia State University 33 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

We are excited to announce the launch of GRACIAS's first college chapter at Georgia Tech! Become a member to take part in our initiative to help students overcome barriers to education and give back to the Latino community. GRACIA S @ Georgia Tech We are excited to announce the launch of GRACIAS's first college chapter at Georgia Tech! Become a member to take part in our initiative to help students overcome barriers to education and give back to the Latino community. GRACIAS @ Tech Interest Form JOIN US Interested in joining us? Fill out our interest form! Get Involved! If you are a Georgia Tech student and are interested in getting involved with the GRACIAS @ Tech chapter, please fill out our Google Form and follow us on Instagram! We can't wait to make a difference with you! "A Look Back" with GRACIAS @Tech Georgia State University 33 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

We are proud to offer scholarship resources to financially support students in achieving their goals and contribute to their community in meaningful ways GRACIAS Presents Scholarship Awards At GRACIAS, we believe that education is a critical factor in building a better future for communities everywhere. We are proud to offer scholarship resources to financially support students in achieving their goals and contribute to their community in meaningful ways. In 2024, we were proud to award three scholarships to incoming college students to help reduce financial obstacles towards higher education. 2024 Scholarship Winners 1st Place Brandon Rojas Brandon Rojas is preparing to attend Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA this fall, where he will pursue a degree in nursing. Congratulations and go Owls! 2nd Place Rafael Garcia Ramos Rafael Garcia Ramos is set to begin his studies at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts this upcoming fall, where he will pursue nursing. Congratulations and go Eagles! 3rd Place Jesus Juarez Jesus Juarez is preparing to start his studies at Emory University in Atlanta, GA this fall, where he will pursue a degree in Quantitative Sciences in Biology. Congratulations and best wishes as he begins this exciting journey! Go Eagles! Although applications for our scholarship are closed at this time, we encourage all visitors to our site to explore our Finding Scholarships page u nder resources. Applicants, please stay on the lookout for further details about submission openings.

A list of community colleges in Georgia for students who are looking for budget-friendly options. Community Colleges Albany Technical College Albany, Ga 1/1 In the state of Georgia, a community college is a public institution of higher education that offers a variety of academic and vocational programs. These colleges are typically two-year institutions and are part of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) or the University System of Georgia (USG). Community colleges in Georgia provide accessible and affordable education to a diverse student population, including recent high school graduates, working adults, and individuals seeking career advancement. Students at Georgia's community colleges can pursue associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in various fields such as liberal arts, business, healthcare, technology, and more. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the workforce or to transfer to four-year institutions to pursue further education. Additionally, community colleges often collaborate with local industries to develop programs that meet the specific needs of the regional job market. Community colleges in Georgia play a crucial role in promoting higher education and workforce development, making education more accessible to a broad range of individuals and contributing to the overall economic and social well-being of the state. List of Community Colleges in the State of Georgia Albany Technical College Altamaha Technical College Andrew College Anthem College Athens Technical College Atlanta Institute of Music and Media Atlanta Technical College Augusta Technical College Aviation Institute of Maintenance Bainbridge State College Brown College of Court Reporting Brown Mackie College Central Georgia Technical College Chattahoochee Technical College Coastal Pines Technical College Coastal Pines Technical College Columbus Technical College Everest Institute - Norcross Fortis College - Smyrna Georgia Military College Georgia Military College Georgia Military College-Distance Learning Campuses Georgia Northwestern Technical College Georgia Perimeter College Georgia Piedmont Technical College Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service Gwinnett College - Lilburn Gwinnett Technical College Interactive College of Technology Lanier Technical College Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Lincoln College of Technology MedTech Institute - Atlanta Campus Miller-Motte Technical College Miller-Motte Technical College Miller-Motte Technical College Moultrie Technical College New Horizons Medical Institute North Georgia Technical College Oconee Fall Line Technical College Ogeechee Technical College Portfolio Center SAE Institute of Technology Sanford-Brown College Savannah Technical College South Georgia Technical College Southeastern Technical College Southern Crescent Technical College Southwest Georgia Technical College The Creative Circus Virginia College - Columbus Virginia College - Macon West Georgia Technical College Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

GRACIAS Presents Educational Awareness Series Find resources for applying to college as an undocumented student and information on the HB18 bill affecting our community in our Educational Awareness series! Check out the GRACIAS Educational Awareness LinkTree for more information and access to resources for undocumented students! Encuentre recursos para postularse a la universidad como estudiante indocumentado e información sobre el proyecto de ley HB18 que afecta a nuestra comunidad en nuestra serie de Concientización Educativa. ¡Consulta el LinkTree de Concientización Educativa de GRACIAS para obtener más información y acceso a recursos para estudiantes indocumentados! Part 1 Undocumented? You can still get a higher education! If you are undocumented and interested in college, consider private universities such as Oglethorpe University and Emory University. You should also consider checking out our Educational Awareness LinkTree for an extensive list of out-of-state schools that accept undocumented students. Part 1: Undocumented? You can still get a higher education! Parte 1: ¿Indocumentado? ¡Todavía puedes obtener una educación! Si eres indocumentado y te interesa la universidad, considera universidades privadas como la Universidad de Oglethorpe y la Universidad de Emory. También puedes consultar nuestro LinkTree de Concientización Educativa para obtener una lista completa de universidades fuera del estado que aceptan estudiantes indocumentados. Part 2: Do you know about HB18? Parte 2: ¿Conoce el proyecto de ley HB18? El Proyecto de Ley HB18 habilitaría la doble matrícula solo para residentes legales de Georgia. En otras palabras, los estudiantes indocumentados no podrán participar en este programa, lo que limitará sus oportunidades educativas y profesionales futuras. Para más información, consulte la campaña de cartas de Action Network: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/keep-dual-enrollment-for-all-georgia-high-schoolers/ Part 3: Do you want to help prevent HB18 from being passed? Parte 3: ¿Quieres ayudar a evitar que se apruebe la HB18? 1. Encuentre a su representante en https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative usando su código postal. 2. Encuentre su información de contacto en el sitio web o mediante una búsqueda en Google. 3. Escriba cartas, correos electrónicos o programe una reunión con sus legisladores para expresar sus inquietudes. Part 4: Are you an undocumented student looking to finance your education? Even though you may not be able to fill out the FAFSA form for federal aid, there are still plenty of scholarships available to undocumented students! Check out the following link to Immigrants Rising for a comprehensive list of scholarships: https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/list-of-scholarships-and-fellowships/ Parte 4: ¿Es usted un estudiante indocumentado que busca financiar su educación? Aunque no puedas completar la FAFSA para obtener ayuda federal, ¡existen muchas becas disponibles para estudiantes indocumentados! Consulta el siguiente enlace de Immigrants Rising para obtener una lista completa de becas: https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/list-of-scholarships-and-fellowships/ From the community, para la communidad... Thank you for helping us achieve our mission! GRACIAS Atlanta Part 5: What happens if they take away the Department of Education? If the Department of Education is eliminated, it would leave public schools throughout the country without essential federal grants needed to support our children's education. This would also leave states without enough funding nor people to enforce laws and distribute funds to local public schools, leading to a lower quality of education everywhere. Parte 5: ¿Qué pasaría si eliminan el Departamento de Educación? Si se elimina el Departamento de Educación, las escuelas públicas de todo el país se quedarían sin las subvenciones federales esenciales necesarias para apoyar la educación de nuestros niños. Esto también dejaría a los estados sin fondos suficientes ni personal para hacer cumplir las leyes y distribuir fondos a las escuelas públicas locales, lo que conduciría a una educación de menor calidad en todas partes. Part 6: "Did you know..." Georgia Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6 The Georgia Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6 bars undocumented students from attending in Georgia's top universities, including Georgia Tech, Georgia College, University of Georgia, Georgia State, and Medical College of Georgia. With a history of barring African American students before desegregation, we should question the reason behind the systemic barriers that prevent undocumented students from pursuing higher education in Georgia. Parte 2: "¿Sabías que...?" Politica 4.1.6 de La Junta de Regentes de Georgia La Política 4.1.6 de la Junta de Regentes de Georgia prohíbe a los estudiantes indocumentados asistir a las mejores universidades de Georgia, incluyendo Georgia Tech, Georgia College, University of Georgia, Georgia State y Medical College of Georgia. Con un historial de exclusión de estudiantes afroamericanos antes de la desegregación, deberíamos cuestionar la razón detrás de las barreras sistémicas que impiden que los estudiantes indocumentados continúen la educación superior en Georgia. Part 7: "Did you know...?" Tuition Costs for Undocumented Students The Georgia public state colleges outside of the top 5 that bar undocumented students require students with undocumented and DACA status to pay out-of-state tuition and fees, regardless of their Georgia residency. Often, this cost can be 3 times or more what students with legal status and Georgia residency pay. Parte 7: ¿Sabías que...? Costos de matrícula para estudiantes indocumentados Las universidades públicas estatales de Georgia que no se encuentran entre las 5 mejores que prohíben el ingreso de estudiantes indocumentados exigen que los estudiantes indocumentados y con estatus DACA paguen la matrícula y las cuotas de fuera del estado, independientemente de su residencia en Georgia. A menudo, este costo puede ser tres veces o más de lo que pagan los estudiantes con estatus legal y residencia en Georgia.

Home About Us Student Resources College Chapters Educational Advocacy Support Us More Get In Touch With Us! Do you have any questions or inquiries? Feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help you with any information you need regarding our programs and services. gracias.atlanta.ga@gmail.com Send Message We've received your message!

From community outreach to fundraising events, GRACIAS hosts a variety of events in the metro Atlanta area throughout the year. Events @GRACIAS From community outreach to fundraising events, GRACIAS hosts a variety of events in the metro Atlanta area throughout the year. For more information on upcoming and past events, check out our Events Calendar below! Make sure to follow us on social media to stay updated! We appreciate your attendance and support at our future events! GRACIAS for coming! Events with GRACIAS Are you a school or a community organization that would like to collaborate with us? If so, please email us at gracias.atlanta.ga@gmail.com to set up a meeting with us. GRACIAS for having us! GRACIAS Events Calendar September 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Past Events 2025 2024