National Hispanic Institute upcoming events

2026 Texas Great Debate (6 Jun 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

Texas Great Debate | June 6 - 9, 2026
Austin College
Sherman, Texas, USA
https://www.austincollege.edu/
Only 300 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 - $720 (does not include the deposit)

NOTE: The Application Fee can be paid later by clicking "INVOICE ME" at checkout.

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

Must upload a copy of a recent report card or transcript when you register.
Agree to the Financial Policy and Application Fee Policy in the application.

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.

2026 Dennis Chavez New Mexico LDZ (7 Jun 2026)

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

2026 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 7 - 14, 2026, 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 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, 2026.

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
Part 2 of application: 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.

SPRING Admission Deadline

MARCH 27, 2026

Late applications accepted based on space availability

through April 30, 2026

2026 Texas Star Great Debate (9 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

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 - $720 (does not include the deposit)

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

Must upload a copy of a recent report card or transcript when you register.
Agree to the Financial Policy and Application Fee Policy in the application.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

9 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2026

2026 Colorado LDZ (20 Jun 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

2026 PROGRAM Tuition & fees

Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
LDZ Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of acceptance, non-refundable)
Colorado LDZ Program Tuition - $1220

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 REQUIREMENTS

Must upload a copy of a recent report card or transcript when you register.
Agree to the Financial Policy and Application Fee Policy in the application.

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.

2026 Texas Ambassador Great Debate (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

Texas Ambassador Great Debate | June 27 - June 30, 2026
St. Mary's University
https://www.stmarytx.edu/
Only 200 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 - $720 (does not include the deposit)

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

Must upload a copy of a recent report card or transcript when you register.
Agree to the Financial Policy and Application Fee Policy in the application.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

2026 Midwest Great Debate (28 Jun 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION

Midwest Great Debate | June 28 - July 3, 2026
Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois
https://www.augustana.edu/
Only 150 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 - $720 (does not include the deposit)

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

Must upload a copy of a recent report card or transcript when you register.
Agree to the Financial Policy and Application Fee Policy in the application.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

2026 Rocky Mountain Collegiate World Series (29 Jun 2026)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

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.

PROGRAM Tuition

Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
CWS Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of acceptance, non-refundable)
CWS Tuition - $890

29 Jun 2026 – 3 Jul 2026.

2026 California Sol Great Debate (7 Jul 2026)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

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

Must upload a copy of a recent report card or transcript when you register.
Agree to the Financial Policy and Application Fee Policy in the application.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

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 - $770 (does not include the deposit)

2026 American LDZ (19 Jul 2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM Tuition & fees

Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
LDZ Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of acceptance, non-refundable)
American LDZ Program Tuition - $1300

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

Dates July 19-26, 2026

2026 Texas LDZ (19 Jul 2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

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: The Application Fee can be paid later by clicking "INVOICE ME" at the end of the form.

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

19 Jul 2026 – 26 Jul 2026

2026 Texas Collegiate World Series (21 Jul 2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

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

PROGRAM Tuition

Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
CWS Deposit - $150 (required within 10 days of acceptance, non-refundable)
CWS Tuition - $890

Dates : July 21-25, 2026.