08/13/2026
Andre Hernandez (Vice President of Project STAY), center, is presented 19 checks by Richard Silva, left, and Gilbert Arias, right, of HSFE to be given to recent high school graduates for financial assistance for those students' first year in college. Project STAY provides a list of eligible students and HSFE selects the recipients. The number that is assisted each year depends on available funds. All donations to HSFE are used for scholarships or for mentoring those students.
HSFE is a charitable organization, and any donations in 2026 qualify as an income tax deduction without having to itemize--limited to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married couples.
(In case you're wondering what the Project STAY sign behind them says: "We provide college preparation services to eligible low-income, first generation students and their families.") The services are free, and include college advising, admissions applications, and FAFSA completion.
