As part of a new partnership, Kia Motors America (KMA) is donating $75,000 to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to award 16 scholarships in the amount of $4,000 each to eligible students attending a HACU-member institution. Established in 1986, HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success, and its member institutions in the U.S. are home to more than two-thirds of all Hispanic college students.

"Kia is committed to making a difference and being a respected global corporate citizen. Our new partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities aligns with our company's drive to create a better future through education, and will provide much needed financial resources to college students across the country," said John Yoon, executive vice president for Human Resources, Administration, Diversity Relations & General Counsel for KMA.

"We are delighted to partner with Kia Motors America in this new scholarship program. It will be another important step in assuring access to and success in higher education for America's largest, youngest and fastest-growing minority population," said HACU President and CEO, Antonio R. Flores.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have a 3.0 grade point average and already be accepted to one of the more than 400 HACU member schools, which are schools that have devoted themselves to understanding and attempting to address the challenges that Hispanic students may encounter in college. Recognizing that students who are the first in their family to attend college may face unique obstacles, Kia and HACU strongly encourage first-generation students to apply for the Kia scholarship.