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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 Mission GRACIAS is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to providing resources and mentorship to students and families in Latino Communities to expand access to higher education. Join the Mission! OPPORTUNITIES GRACIAS Check out our latest videos and posts on the GRACIAS_ATL Instagram page! FOLLOW US Support Education Empowerment at GRACIAS DONATE TODAY Stay Updated with the Latest Educational Resources Join our newsletter to stay informed about the latest educational resources, success stories, and opportunities within the Atlanta Latino community. Subscribe Subscribe to Our Newsletter JOIN NOW Thank You for Joining Us! Our Services 1 Community Presentations and Outreach Events Going to public schools and community centers holding events where we... Connect students with current college students and alumni Provide information about college options and the application process Provide information about financial aid and scholarships Advice about better preparing and adapting to college Provide information about jobs made possible with a college education Assist with completing the FAFSA Learn More 2 The High School Mentorship Program We pair current college students with high school students during their last semester of high school and first semester of college. The pair will meet monthly to provide the mentee with personalized advice and a feeling of community and support. Learn More 3 Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources We promote dozens of scholarships open to the Latino community as well as award thousands of dollars each spring to rising college students. Learn More Upcoming Events No events at the moment The Atlanta Latino Community The Latino community in Metro Atlanta is... 2nd biggest growing ethnic group, increasing at rate of 31% (source: Atlanta Regional) 1/4 or 1/3 of students in school districts are Latino (Atlanta Regional) no greater than 12% enrollment in most colleges and universities are Latino (Excelencia in Education) only 45.8% of Latinos pursue a college education (Excelencia in Education) highest drop-out rate of any ethnic group (Excelencia in Education) 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 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! "A Look Back" at Our Past Events... 2025 "A Look Back" 2024 Sponsorships & Donations Since GRACIAS started in September 2023, we have raised $11,764 towards our mission... GRACIAS for your support!

Aligning with GRACIAS' mission, we are dedicated to promoting technical education resources to the Atlanta latino community through LAA's technical education programs. Check out each of LAA's training programs! Latin American Association Technical Education Programs The Latin American Association (LAA) is an Atlanta non-profit organization that was founded in 1972 to become a leading agency representing and providing issues to Georgia's latino issues. Aligning with GRACIAS' mission, we are dedicated to promoting technical education resources to the Atlanta latino community through LAA's technical education programs. Check out the following document for a list and description of each of LAA's training programs:

General FAQs 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 to 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 What if I have another question that is not in this list? Feel free to fill out the contact form with any remaining questions and we will get back to you!

Home About Us Student Resources Community Partners Educational Advocacy Get Involved Events 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 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! GroupMe Join our GroupMe general group chat to also stay updated our upcoming volunteer events, new initiatives, important dates, and more about GRACIAS! Join GRACIAS GroupMe!

GRACIAS @ UGA 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.

A compilation of resource videos directly from the Federal Student Aid (FSA) resources page into easy-to-manage video playlists to guide you through the application process. A Guide to FAFSA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free application that determines a student's is eligibility for federal financial aid. GRACIAS has compiled resource videos directly from the Federal Student Aid (FSA) resources page into easy-to-manage video playlists to guide you through the application process. Please take advantage of this guide and other resources on our website to help you get access to financial aid for higher eductaion. Step-by-Step Guide to FAFSA Form Step-by-step Guide on Filling Out the FAFSA Applying for Financial Aid With the FAFSA® Form Federal Student Aid Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search videos Search video... Now Playing Applying for Financial Aid With the FAFSA® Form 02:07 Play Video Now Playing [Unlisted] Gather Information Required To Complete the FAFSA® Form 01:51 Play Video Now Playing [Unlisted] Understand and Prepare FAFSA® Form Contributors 02:34 Play Video Now Playing Start Your FAFSA® Form 02:57 Play Video Now Playing [UNLISTED] Complete the Personal Circumstances and Demographics Sections of the FAFSA® Form 03:35 Play Video Now Playing [UNLISTED] Select Schools To Include on Your 2024–25 FAFSA® Form 01:45 Play Video What to Know Before Starting the FAFSA What to Know Before Starting the FAFSA Play Video Play Video 01:58 What Is FAFSA®? The FAFSA® form, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form used to apply for financial aid. Completing the FAFSA form is the only way to access the largest source of financial aid—federal student aid—to help you pay for your education. Students who submit the FAFSA form may become eligible to receive scholarships, grants, work-study funds, and student loans. Schools use the information provided on the FAFSA form to calculate aid packages and then put together an aid offer. It’s important to submit a FAFSA form every year you plan to attend college or career/trade school to remain eligible and receive aid. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their section of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form head to https://StudentAid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/pro-tips Learn more about the FAFSA process at https://StudentAid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out Start your FAFSA form at https://fafsa.gov. Watch the full FAFSA FAQ playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf Play Video Play Video 01:31 Who Is a Contributor on the FAFSA® Form? A contributor is anyone required to provide information, a signature, and consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly into the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. This may include the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or a stepparent. Any required contributors other than the student (such as a parent or spouse) are not financially responsible for the student’s education. By providing consent and approval, a contributor’s federal tax information will be used to determine the student’s eligibility for federal student aid. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their sections of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. Watch the full FAFSA FAQ playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf Learn more about the FAFSA process: https://StudentAid.gov/fillingout Start your FAFSA form: https://fafsa.gov 0:00 Who Is a Contributor on the FAFSA® Form? 0:16 Understanding Contributors 0:43 Determining Contributors Play Video Play Video 01:45 Why Do My Contributors and I Need Our Own StudentAid.gov Accounts for the FAFSA® Form? Before you and your contributors start to fill out your online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, you’ll each need to create a StudentAid.gov account so that you can complete your required sections of the form and be eligible for federal student aid. Your StudentAid.gov account contains verified personal information, so each StudentAid.gov account can link to only one person. Don’t wait. Take the first step to completing your FAFSA form today and create a StudentAid.gov account. Create your StudentAid.gov account at https://StudentAid.gov/fsa-id/create-account Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their section of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form, head to https://StudentAid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/pro-tips Learn more about the FAFSA process at https://StudentAid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out Watch the full FAFSA FAQ playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf Play Video Play Video 02:36 What’s Changed for the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form? This video contains information for the 2024–25 FAFSA® form. For current FAFSA information, visit: https://StudentAid.gov/fillingout Some of the biggest changes to the online 2024–25 FAFSA form included the ability to access the status of your FAFSA form in your StudentAid.gov account Dashboard and the ability to have your FAFSA information sent to up to 20 colleges, career schools, or trade schools. Contributor participation is also needed for a FAFSA form to be complete. A contributor is anyone required to provide a signature on a student’s FAFSA form as well as consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly into the FAFSA form. Contributors may include the student, their spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or a stepparent. Each contributor must have their own StudentAid.gov account to access the online FAFSA form. The 2024–25 FAFSA form is available for students attending college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. When you submit your completed FAFSA form, you’ll get an email confirming that we received your form with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal student aid. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that you, the student, start and complete your sections of the 2024–25 FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form, visit: https://StudentAid.gov/fafsatips Watch the full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWUwCAWJ8l_ZLf Learn more about the FAFSA process: https://StudentAid.gov/fillingout Creating a Student and Parent Account Creating Your FSA ID Account Play Video Play Video 03:01 Create and Access Your StudentAid.gov Account If you plan to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, you’ll need to create a StudentAid.gov account, including a username and password. Not only can you use your StudentAid.gov account to complete and sign the FAFSA form, but you also can use it to sign the Master Promissory Note to receive federal student loans. You’ll also be able to explore loan repayment plans and access valuable resources like loan counseling and the PSLF Help Tool. Each contributor must create their own StudentAid.gov account. It’s important to keep your account credentials safe and to not share them with anyone else, including family members. This video covers how to regain access to your account if necessary. If you have a Social Security number, the Social Security Administration will use real-time matching to verify your account immediately. This means that you and your contributor(s) can create an account, import federal tax information, and complete the FAFSA form all in one sitting. When you submit your completed FAFSA form, you’ll get an email confirming that we received your form with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal student aid. You’ll receive your full financial aid offer(s) from the schools that you listed on your FAFSA form and were accepted to. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their section of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. Watch the full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ18cBXJb2r5mzyFoh9e9mcl Create a StudentAid.gov account: https://StudentAid.gov/create-account Learn more about the FAFSA process: https://StudentAid.gov/fillingout 0:27 Using Your StudentAid.gov Account 0:45 Creating a StudentAid.gov Account 1:49 Troubleshooting Account Issues Play Video Play Video 06:33 How To Create a StudentAid.gov Account Walk through the process of creating your own StudentAid.gov account. Your account can be used to securely log in to https://StudentAid.gov and serves as your legal digital signature. When you create your account, you’ll enter a username and password, also known as an FSA ID. You’ll also set up two-step verification to better protect your identity and account information. Create an account: https://StudentAid.gov/create-account 0:00 How To Create a StudentAid.gov Account 0:25 Personal Information 1:29 Account Information 1:55 Contact Information 2:13 Communication Preferences 2:49 Challenge Questions 3:08 Confirm and Verify 3:24 Verify Your Contact Info 5:35 Congratulations! You’ve Created Your FSA ID Play Video Play Video 06:57 [UNLISTED] Troubleshooting Your Account Username and Password (FSA ID) Watch the updated version of this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i42p5MHwsBc Troubleshooting your account username and password (FSA ID) tutorial: 0:23 Forgot Username 0:46 Retrieve Your Username 1:09 Retrieve Username by Phone 1:44 Retrieve Username by Email 2:28 Retrieve Username by Challenge Questions 3:06 Forgot Password 3:25 Reset Your Password 3:59 Reset Your Password by Phone 4:22 Reset Your Password by Email 4:43 Reset Your Password by Challenge Questions 5:58 Unlock Your Account 6:25 When All Else Fails This video helps you regain access to your FSA ID. An FSA ID is simply a username and password combination, which can be used to securely log in to U.S. Department of Education websites like https://StudentAid.gov and https://fafsa.gov. If you plan to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form when it becomes available, you (and your parent if you're a dependent student) should create an FSA ID as soon as possible. To log in, visit https://StudentAid.gov/login Note: The myStudentAid mobile app is no longer available. Play Video Play Video 10:11 Troubleshooting Your StudentAid.gov Account Follow this tutorial for troubleshooting your StudentAid.gov account. 00:25 - Forgot Username 00:46 - Retrieve Your Username 01:16 - Retrieve Username by Phone 02:07 - Retrieve Username by Email 03:09 - Retrieve Username by Authenticator App 03:48 - Retrieve Username by Challenge Questions 04:26 - Forgot Password 05:24 - Reset Your Password by Phone 05:47 - Reset Your Password by Email 06:08 - Reset Your Password by Authenticator App 06:24 - Reset Your Password by Challenge Questions 06:53 - Reset Your Password 07:38 - Recover Account with Photo ID 08:22 - Unlock Your Account 08:51 - No Two-Step Verification Access 09:36 - When All Else Fails This video helps you regain access to your StudentAid.gov account. Your account requires a username and password combination, sometimes called an FSA ID, which can be used to securely log in to U.S. Department of Education websites like https://StudentAid.gov and https://fafsa.gov. If you plan to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, you (and any additional contributors who might participate on your form, such as a parent or spouse) should create your own StudentAid.gov account as soon as possible. To log in, visit https://StudentAid.gov/login "What If..." Questions While Doing FAFSA "What if..." When Filling Out FAFSA Play Video Play Video 03:38 How Do I Create a StudentAid.gov Account If I Don’t Have a Social Security Number? To complete the 2024–25 online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, you will need a StudentAid.gov account. Starting in December 2023, you will be able to create a StudentAid.gov account even if you don’t have a Social Security number (SSN). To do so, you’ll follow the prompts on-screen to enter your information and select the “I don’t have a Social Security number” checkbox. Accounts created without an SSN have limited functionality. The only people who should create an account without an SSN are a student’s parent or spouse who doesn’t have an SSN or a student who’s a citizen of the Freely Associated States and needs to complete the FAFSA form online. You must have an SSN or be a citizen of the Freely Associated States to be eligible to receive federal student aid. More: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support/contributor-social-security-number The 2024–25 FAFSA form is available for students attending college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. When you submit your completed FAFSA form, you’ll get an email confirming that we received your form with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal student aid. We’ll provide your FAFSA eligibility information to your school(s) and state in the first half of March. More information: https://StudentAid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their section of the 2024–25 FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form head to https://StudentAid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support/pro-tips Learn more about the FAFSA process at https://StudentAid.gov More about the account creation process if you do not have an SSN: https://StudentAid.gov/help-center/answers/article/create-an-fsa-id-dont-have-an-ssn Start your FAFSA form at https://fafsa.gov Watch the full FAFSA FAQ playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf Play Video Play Video 02:31 How Do I Complete the FAFSA® Form If My Parent Is a Noncitizen? It’s important to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to be eligible for federal student aid even if your parent is not a U.S. citizen. Your parent’s citizenship status will not affect your eligibility for federal student aid, but if you’re a dependent student, their information will be required on the FAFSA form. If your parent is identified as a contributor, they will need to create their own StudentAid.gov account to access your form. After they provide their information, their consent and approval to transfer federal tax information, and a signature, you’ll be able to complete and submit your FAFSA form. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their sections of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form, visit: https://StudentAid.gov/fafsatips Learn more about the FAFSA process at https://StudentAid.gov Start your FAFSA form at https://fafsa.gov Watch the full FAFSA FAQ playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf Play Video Play Video 02:24 [UNLISTED] How Do I Complete the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form If My Parents Are Divorced or Separated? Watch an updated version of this video: https://youtu.be/P0x9FBflf4U Parent information is required when completing and submitting the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form if you’re considered a dependent student. If your parents are divorced or separated, which parent’s information will be required is determined by whether your parents live together or not and which parent provided the most financial support. The 2024–25 FAFSA form is available for students attending college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. When you submit your completed FAFSA form, you’ll get an email confirming that we received your form with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal student aid. We’ll provide your FAFSA eligibility information to your school(s) and state in the first half of March. More information: https://StudentAid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their section of the 2024–25 FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form head to https://StudentAid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support/pro-tips Learn more about the FAFSA process at https://StudentAid.gov Start your FAFSA form at https://fafsa.gov Watch the full FAFSA FAQ playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf Play Video Play Video 01:58 What Does It Mean To Provide Consent and Approval on the FAFSA® Form? Providing consent and approval on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is a requirement for federal student aid eligibility. When you and your contributors provide consent and approval on the FAFSA form, you agree to • share your personally identifiable information provided on the form with the IRS, • have your federal tax information transferred directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form, • allow the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to use the information to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, • allow ED to share your federal tax information with schools and state higher education agencies, and • allow ED to reuse federal tax information on other FAFSA forms you’re invited to. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their sections of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form, visit: https://StudentAid.gov/fafsatips Learn more about the FAFSA process: https://StudentAid.gov Start your FAFSA form: https://fafsa.gov Watch the full FAFSA FAQ playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf "I'm Done, Now What Happens?" I Completed the FAFSA, Now What? Play Video Play Video 02:15 What Happens After Submitting Your FAFSA® Form? If you’re submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, make sure you know what to expect next. After you’ve completed your FAFSA form, the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid will begin processing your form. You’ll receive a confirmation email with important information, so make sure you review it carefully. Keep an eye out for any additional communications, including an email that your FAFSA Submission Summary is available, which you’ll receive after your form is processed. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their sections of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form, visit: https://StudentAid.gov/fafsatips Learn more about the FAFSA process: https://StudentAid.gov Start your FAFSA form: https://fafsa.gov Watch the entire playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ1QiU3gCEUDm9H8AZaPm4SP Play Video Play Video 03:02 What Happens After Your FAFSA® Form Is Processed? After you’ve submitted your online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, it will be processed in one to three days. Next, you’ll receive an email with instructions to access your FAFSA Submission Summary. It will include four tabs: Eligibility Overview, FAFSA Form Answers, School Information, and Next Steps. Make sure you review all of the information on your FAFSA Submission Summary carefully. Learn more about the FAFSA process: https://StudentAid.gov/fillingout Start your FAFSA form: https://fafsa.gov Watch the entire playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ1QiU3gCEUDm9H8AZaPm4SP 0:00 What Happens After Your FAFSA® Form Is Processed? 0:19 FAFSA Submission Summary 2:07 FAFSA Corrections 2:35 Financial Aid Offers Play Video Play Video 03:10 Where’s My Financial Aid? If you’ve submitted your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and you’ve received your FAFSA Submission Summary, you may be wondering when and how you’ll receive your financial aid. If you’re accepted at a college or career/trade school that you listed on your FAFSA form, the school will send you a financial aid offer. It will include the types and amounts of financial aid that you’re being offered. Review your options carefully and make sure that you respond to your aid offer before the deadline listed. Your school’s financial aid office will disburse your financial aid to you at the start of the term. Pro tip: We strongly recommend that students start and complete their sections of the FAFSA form first to save time and prevent errors. For more tips on completing the form, visit: https://StudentAid.gov/fafsatips Learn more about the FAFSA process: https://StudentAid.gov Start your FAFSA form: https://fafsa.gov Watch the entire playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ1QiU3gCEUDm9H8AZaPm4SP

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 Welcome to the GRACIAS Leadership Team page! Our team is composed of dedicated individuals who are passionate about making positive impact in the Gracias community. Our team members come from diverse backgrounds and have studied 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 GRACIAS through our leadership and community involvement. Directors Edu Advocacy Thank you letter Directors 1/6 A Thank You Letter From the Directors To GRACIAS Volunteers Follow us on the GRACIAS Instagram page @gracias_atl and join us for our 2024-25 Volunteer Appreciation Week to celebrate the contributions of our hard-working volunteers to the GRACIAS mission! GRACIAS to our volunteers! Board of Trustees 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. Executive Committee Erika Contreras Director of Marketing Hey! I'm an out of state undergraduate student from Texas majoring in Business Administration and Korean at Emory University. I’m involved with Catholic Charities as an assistant English teacher and love to be involved on campus. I love to watch Korean kdrama and K-pop. I am excited to give back to the Latino community as I continue my journey in Atlanta and get to know the people and their aspirations. Congratulations to Jennifer Bacilio ¡Volunteer of the Year! Follow us on the GRACIAS Instagram page @gracias_atl and join us for our 2024-25 Volunteer Appreciation Week to celebrate the contributions of our hard-working volunteers to the GRACIAS mission! GRACIAS for all your hard work, Jennifer! Volunteer of the Year Award Why volunteer at GRACIAS? Volunteer of the Year Award 1/2 Department of Marketing Ivan Zapote Social Media Manager Hello! I am a first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in South Georgia. After recently graduating from Georgia Tech, I took some time off to spend with friends and travel. Reflecting on my university experience, which I navigated somewhat blindly, I am eager to contribute to an organization that offers guidance and clarity to incoming university students from similar backgrounds. Department of Outreach William Reyes Outreach Aid for Hall County Originally from El Salvado, lived in Gainesville GA for 5 years now, current student at Oglethorpe University majoring in Business Administration and a double minor in Human Resource Management and Corporate Finance. Department of Programs Mayra Calderon Special Projects Lead Hello! I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Anthropology and a minor in Biomedical Research from UCLA in the Summer of 2023. I spent most of my undergrad working as a lab technician and participating in research while also working various customer service roles. I’m now working towards my MD and looking forward to applying soon! I’m also a Mexican folklorico dancer for the TEOTL Foundation. I’m very passionate about serving my community and now serving the youth of Atlanta! College Chapters Valerie Zavala President of Georgia Tech Chapter Hola todos! My name is Valerie Zavala and I am a third year majoring in business administration with a concentration in IT management at Georgia tech. My heritage is Mexican! Helping out the Latino community is very important because it allows for the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences, while empowering communities so we can all thrive together.

A list of public universities and colleges in Georgia for you to explore. State-sponsored institutions that provide affordable higher education to students from all backgrounds. Public Colleges & Universities Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Ga Albany State University Albany, Ga Augusta University Augusta, Ga Clayton State University Morrow, Ga College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Ga Columbus State University Columbus, Ga Dalton State College Dalton, Ga Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Ga Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Ga Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, Ga Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Ga Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Ga Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Ga Georgia State University Atlanta, Ga Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Ga Middle Georgia State University Macon, Ga Savannah State University Savannah, Ga University of Georgia Athens, Ga University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Ga University of West Georgia Carrollton, Ga Valdosta State University Valdosta, Ga 1/21 In the state of Georgia, public colleges and universities are institutions of higher education that are funded and operated by the state government. These institutions are part of the University System of Georgia (USG) and include well-known universities such as the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and others. Public colleges and universities in Georgia offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. Key characteristics of public colleges and universities in Georgia include: 1. State Funding: These institutions receive funding from the state government, which helps keep tuition costs lower for in-state residents compared to out-of-state or private institutions. 2. Academic Diversity: Public universities in Georgia typically offer a diverse array of academic programs, including liberal arts, sciences, business, engineering, healthcare, and more. 3. Research Opportunities: Many public universities in Georgia are research-intensive institutions, fostering innovation and contributing to advancements in various fields. 4. Accessibility: Public colleges and universities aim to provide accessible higher education to a broad spectrum of students, including residents of Georgia. They often have a mix of traditional and non-traditional students. 5. Community Engagement: Public institutions in Georgia often engage with their local communities through outreach programs, partnerships with businesses, and collaborative initiatives that contribute to the state's economic and social development. Attending a public college or university in Georgia allows students to benefit from the resources, facilities, and faculty expertise of a larger institution while being part of a statewide system that prioritizes education and research. These institutions play a vital role in shaping the educational landscape and contributing to the overall development of the state. List of Public Colleges & Universities in the State of Georgia Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Albany State University Augusta University Clayton State University College of Coastal Georgia Columbus State University Dalton State College Fort Valley State University Georgia College & State University Georgia Gwinnett College Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Southern University Georgia Southwestern State University Georgia State University Kennesaw State University Middle Georgia State University Savannah State University University of Georgia University of North Georgia University of West Georgia Valdosta State University

Find past and current newsletters to keep up with what's going on with at GRACIAS, available in both English and Spanish to ensure everyone has access to the information they need. The GRACIAS Newsletter At GRACIAS, we understand the importance of staying informed about our organization's work. That's why we created our newsletter hub, where you can find past and current newsletters to keep up-to-date with what's going on with our organization. Our newsletters are available in both English and Spanish, ensuring that everyone has access to the information they need. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter here to receive it directly in your email. February 2025 Newsletter 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! Past Newsletters Newsletter Boletin Informativo 05/06/2024 05/06/2024 05/03/2024 05/03/2024 03/25/2024 03/25/2024 03/11/2024 03/11/2024 02/26/2024 02/26/2024 02/12/2024 02/12/2024

Resources designed to assist you with your college application process: webinars, mentorship, FAFSA guidance, scholarship database, WhatsApp forums, and a comprehensive list of colleges in Georgia! GRACIAS Student Resources Explore our extensive range of free resources designed to assist you with your college application process. Our offerings include webinars, mentorship, FAFSA guidance, scholarship database, WhatsApp forums, and a comprehensive list of colleges in Georgia! We invite you to visit our website to access these valuable tools and receive expert guidance. Scholarship Resources Hub Check out links and resources below! Admissions Resources: From Application to Acceptance We know that applying to college can be overwhelming, so we've compiled a collection of helpful resources to assist you every step of the way. Our Admissions Resources section features informative PDF files that walk you through different college application methods such as the Common App. Don't let the application process cause you anxiety - let our resources guide you. Funding Your Education: Financial Aid & Scholarships We believe that finance shouldn't be a barrier to education. That's why we offer a variety of financial aid and scholarship resources, so that anyone can access funds for their education. Our PDF files contain valuable information on grants and funding, and our scholarship page has all the details on how to apply and what you need to know. Whether you're just starting out or well into your studies, we're here to help. Filling Out the FAFSA: A Guide & Resources We know that filling out the FAFSA can be a daunting task. That's why we offer a wide range of resources to help you get started, including downloadable PDF files that explain the process, list the documents you will need, and provide examples of how to fill out the forms. We are here to support you every step of the way. Home