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NHI PROGRAM DATES

NHI Programs & Events

    • 1 Jun 2025
    • 241
    Register

    We are currently in the Pre-Registration Period. All fees will be waived and requested starting August 1st, 2024. Required materials such as transcripts will not be required for Pre-Registration, however will be requested at a later date. Specific LDZ locations and dates are to be released at a later date.


    PROGRAM Tuition & fees

    • Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)

    • LDZ Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of  acceptance, non-refundable)
    • LDZ Program Tuition - $1220

    NOTE: Application Fee does not apply for Pre-Registration


    PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
    • 10th or 11th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.2/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • College bound


    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    Since 1982, high ability, high achieving 10th and 11th grade students have graduated from the competitive and transformative Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (LDZ) experience designed for future community leaders. Students form a cohort of 150 delegates ages 16-17 in community positions that propose, review, and adopt policies to advance the Latino community. The week-long quest covers a broad array of skills, competencies, personal growth opportunities, social relevance, and topics of national and international relevance to Latino quality of life.


    • 1 Jun 2025
    • Austin College, Sherman, Texas and a New Location
    • 392
    Register

    PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

    Texas Great Debate | June 5-8, 2025
    Austin College
    Sherman, Texas
    https://www.austincollege.edu/
    Only 300 summer spots available.

    Texas Ambassador Great Debate | Dates TBD
    To Be Decided
    https://www.austincollege.edu/

    PROGRAM Tuition & fees

    • Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)

    • Great Debate Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of acceptance)
    • Great Debate Program Tuition - $695  (does not include the deposit)

    NOTE: Additional fees may apply.

    PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
    • 9th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • College bound

    PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    The Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you're committed to making meaningful change in your world, and you’re driven toward building up your community, NHI is for you.



    • 1 Jun 2025
    • Pennsylvania, USA
    • 234
    Register

    PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

    Northeast Great Debate |  Dates TBD
    Host Institution TBD
    Pennsylvania, USA
    Only 240 summer spots available.

    PROGRAM Tuition & fees

    • Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)

    • Great Debate Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of  acceptance)
    • Great Debate Program Tuition - $695 (does not include the deposit)

    NOTE: Additional fees may apply.

    PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
    • 9th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • College bound

    PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    The Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you're committed to making meaningful change in your world, and you’re driven toward building up your community, NHI is for you.



    • 8 Jun 2025
    • 15 Jun 2025
    • University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
    • 232
    Register


    2025 Dennis Chavez

    New Mexico LDZ

    Youth Legislative Session 

    IMPORTANT:  for New Mexico high school students only


    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    This year’s event will host 150 top students in a weeklong leadership experience on the UNM campus June 8 - 15,  2025, and highlight the legacy of late Dennis Chavez. The program is made possible by special funding from the New Mexico Legislature introduced by State Sen. Michael Padilla.

    Chavez, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931-1935 and in the U.S. Senate from 1935-1962, was the first Hispanic person elected to a full term in the Senate and the first senator to be born in New Mexico.

    PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

    JUNE 8 - 15, 2025

      

    University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

    and State Capitol, Santa Fe

    PROGRAM FEES

    • NO APPLICATION OR TUITION FEE -  NM LDZ is fully funded by the New Mexico State Legislature, for students who attend New Mexico schools.   Student tuition is covered if they attend the NM LDZ only.  

    IMPORTANT: Full support for the Dennis Chavez New Mexico LDZ program is made possible through funding by the New Mexico State Legislature for students from New Mexico. Selected students will be named Dennis Chavez Scholars and participate at NO COST other than transportation to and from UNM in Albuquerque.  Transportation assistance will be available for participants from outlying areas who confirm a space by March, 2025

    PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

    • 10th or 11th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.2/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • Students from the state of New Mexico
    • Enrollment in a college-bound high school graduation plan

    PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
    • Must upload a copy of a recent report card or transcript when you register
    • For admitted students, Parent/Guardian signatures on the Parent Release and Medical Form
    • Must complete pre-program online orientations before attending the program

    SPACE IS AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME,

    FIRST SERVE BASIS.


    • 10 Jun 2025
    • 15 Jun 2025
    • Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas
    • 232
    Register

    PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

    2024 Texas Star Great Debate | June 10-15, 2025

    Our Lady of the Lake University

    San Antonio, Texas


    About the Texas Star Great Debate

    We are proud to announce the 2025 Texas Star Great Debate at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. With the support of the President's office, we are bringing back the 6-Day Great Debate to one of its first campuses. "OLLU" was the host of 6-Day programs in the early 2000s which would attract top leaders from Central and South Texas and often Northern Mexico. The 2025 program is slated to continue engaging future leaders from 

    Through the years, NHI has cultivated relations with a significant number of universities, mostly private, as reference possibilities when selecting their preferences. As members of NHI’s College Register, these institutions are located throughout the U.S. and usually attend NHI college fairs and admission workshops that give them one-on-one communication with NHI students. On different occasions some of these institutions go a step further. They realize the importance of placing young minds in environments that excite the possibilities of college and make higher education real in their lives. 

    What is the cost of the Great Debate?

    Tuition for the Great Debates covers four days on a college in dorms, a full meal plan, private access to training areas, a college day exclusively for program participants, a staff-student ratio of one adult to every fifteen students, supplies and materials, a commemorative program T-Shirt, a certificate of participation, and a highly-motivating curriculum. Upon official acceptance to the program, NHI requires a 150.00 USD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Families manage tuition in various ways from setting up an approved payment plan, seeking out sponsors, easy online fundraising, or even qualify for special select community grants. NHI makes it a point to work with each family on their specific plans for tuition.

    Students who complete in the Great Debate will be granted all the rights, privileges, and honors of NHI membership, so long as they remain in good standing and will hence be invited to future opportunities for personal development as well as volunteerism and faculty development within the organization.

    The cost of the Great Debate is broken down  into distinct fees, all of which will culminate in supplying your student with the adequate resources for a fulfilling and fun leadership experience :

    • Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
    • Great Debate Non-Refundable Deposit - $150
    • Great Debate Tuition: $695 (does not include the $150 deposit)

    What does the payment schedule look like?

    NHI will provide details about the payment schedule upon acceptance into the program. 

    NHI is committed to flexibility - that is, payment plans and fundraising tools are available to all families who request them. 



    • 21 Jun 2025
    • 28 Jun 2025
    • 147
    Register
    • 28 Jun 2025
    • 3 Jul 2025
    • Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
    • 239
    Register

    PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

    Midwest Great Debate  | June 28 - July 3, 2025
    Augustana College
    Rock Island, Illinois 
    https://www.augustana.edu/
    Only 240 summer spots available.

    PROGRAM Tuition & fees

    • Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)

    • Great Debate Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of  acceptance)
    • Great Debate Program Tuition - $695 (does not include the deposit)

    NOTE: Additional fees may apply.

    PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
    • 9th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • College bound

    PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    The Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you're committed to making meaningful change in your world, and you’re driven toward building up your community, NHI is for you.



    • 29 Jun 2025
    • 3 Jul 2025
    • 219
    Register

    PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY

    • 11th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.2/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • College bound

    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    The Collegiate World Series is the National Hispanic Institute’s (NHI) capstone experience for high school juniors preparing for their senior year. Created 30 years ago, it aims to provide future leaders as much insight and practice as possible to prepare for the transition to adulthood, with an emphasis on both college readiness and leadership development. 

    • 1 Jul 2025
    • 215
    Register
    • 1 Jul 2025
    • 184
    Register

    PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY

    • 11th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.2/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • College bound

    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    The Collegiate World Series is the National Hispanic Institute’s (NHI) capstone experience for high school juniors preparing for their senior year. Created 30 years ago, it aims to provide future leaders as much insight and practice as possible to prepare for the transition to adulthood, with an emphasis on both college readiness and leadership development. 

    • 8 Jul 2025
    • 13 Jul 2025
    • University of San Diego
    • 233
    Register

    PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

    California Sol Great Debate | July 8 - 13, 2025
    University of San Diego
    San Diego, California, USA
    https://www.sandiego.edu/

    PROGRAM Tuition & fees

    • Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)

    • Great Debate Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of  acceptance)
    • Great Debate Program Tuition - $695 (does not include the deposit)

    NOTE: Additional fees may apply.

    PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
    • 9th  grade students
    • Must have a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better
    • College bound

    PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

    PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    The Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you're committed to making meaningful change in your world, and you’re driven toward building up your community, NHI is for you.




National Hispanic Institute

P.O. Box 220
Maxwell, Texas 78656

+1 (512) 357-6137


Contact Us 



Hours of Operations:

M-F, 8:30am - 12:00pm; 1:30pm - 5:30pm CDT