ABOUT US

RMHC®/HACER®, part of the RMHC® U.S. Scholarship Program, is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible graduating high school seniors who face limited access to educational and career opportunities. Students are selected and awards are distributed based on demonstrated academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.

The RMHC/HACER scholarship has become one of the largest college scholarship programs for Hispanic students. Since its inception, more than 13,000 Hispanic students have been awarded more than $19.1 million in scholarships to support their college education.


How we started

As a former educator, McDonald’s® franchisee Richard Castro from El Paso, TX, was keenly aware of the alarming number of Hispanic students who dropped out of high school in his hometown and across the country. Driven by his commitment to give back, Castro acted to change this trend by leading the effort to create a scholarship program that would serve as encouragement for young Hispanics to complete high school and continue their education.

Castro rallied his fellow McDonald’s franchisees and the McDonald’s Corporation and secured the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to establish the RMHC®/HACER® program in 1985. An initial fund of $97,000 served to launch the program, providing $1,000 awards to high school seniors in various communities.