For many Latino families across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the path to a college degree can feel like a maze of paperwork, deadlines, and unfamiliar terms. But a free bilingual fair in Garland, Texas, aims to change that, offering practical, hands-on help for students and their parents—many of whom are navigating the U.S. higher education system for the first time.
The event, titled “Who Am I? Where Am I Headed?” is set for Saturday, September 12, 2026, and is organized by Empower the Voice, a community group that has long focused on connecting local students with the resources they need to succeed. The fair brings together admissions experts, financial aid officers, and career counselors to demystify everything from university applications to scholarship searches.
At the heart of the fair is a simple but powerful idea: when parents understand the system, students thrive. That’s why the organizers have designed the day to include the whole family, not just the student. Sessions are offered in both English and Spanish, ensuring that language is never a barrier to accessing critical information.
Why this matters now
The urgency is real. According to projections from Texas 2036, a nonpartisan policy organization, more than 70% of jobs in Texas will require some form of postsecondary credential by 2036. That means the decisions families make today—about courses, applications, and financial aid—will shape their economic future for decades.
For Latino students, who make up a growing share of Texas’s public school population, the stakes are especially high. Yet many families are unaware of the full range of financial aid options available to them. The fair aims to close that information gap, offering clear, step-by-step guidance on both federal and state programs.
One of the key distinctions covered will be the difference between the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). While FAFSA is the gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study, TASFA is specifically designed for students who are not eligible for federal aid, including many undocumented students and those with DACA status. Understanding which form to fill out—and when—can make or break a student’s ability to afford college.
Representatives from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will be on hand to explain these processes in detail, and to remind attendees that individual universities may have their own requirements. The message is clear: don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Each school has its own deadlines and criteria, and the fair is designed to help families navigate those nuances.
What families can expect
The fair is structured to be as practical as possible. For students currently in 11th or 12th grade, there will be dedicated sessions on how to start the application process, what documents to gather, and how to meet priority deadlines. Younger students—and their parents—can also benefit from sessions on high school planning, academic preparation, and the kinds of extracurriculars that strengthen college applications.
Financial planners will walk attendees through private scholarship opportunities, explaining eligibility requirements and how to craft compelling applications. They’ll also cover support systems specifically designed for first-generation college students, from mentorship programs to emergency funds.
Career advisors will be on site to talk about academic programs, internships, and apprenticeships in high-demand fields across Texas, from healthcare to technology. The goal is to help students see not just how to get into college, but what they can do with a degree once they’re there.
“This is about more than filling out forms,” says one of the event organizers. “It’s about giving families the confidence to advocate for their children’s education.”
The fair is free and open to the public, but organizers encourage families to register in advance. For those who can’t attend, Empower the Voice plans to share resources online, including a recorded version of the main sessions.
In a state where the cost of college continues to rise, events like this are a lifeline. They remind us that with the right information, a college degree is not just a dream—it’s a plan.
For more on how Texas families are navigating educational and financial challenges, check out our coverage of budget pressures in Texas cities and what El Niño could mean for the state.
