The HBAA Charitable Foundation

The Hispanic Bar Association of Austin Charitable Foundation supports educational programs and services that significantly benefit the Hispanic community, focusing primarily on awarding scholarships to demonstrably talented Hispanic students in Central Texas.

The Foundation is supported, in large part, primarily by the proceeds from its annual luncheon celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and continues to raise funds throughout the year to the community through initiatives like Thanksgiving Basket Project.

Download the HBAA Foundation’s By-Laws

Let’s Make Austin Better Together.

Your tax-deductible donation to the HBAA Charitable Foundation will provide scholarships to students in Central Texas interested in attending or currently enrolled in law school, as well as support to our neighbors in need through ongoing initiatives to provide assistance where it’s needed most.

Scholarship Opportunities

The HBAA Charitable Foundation strives to provide opportunities and assistance to Hispanic students as they pursue their legal careers. As support for the Foundation grows, the Foundation is able to further reach its goal of assisting Central Texas students to successfully complete their legal educations.

HBAA Charitable Foundation Awards

HBAA LSAT Preparation Scholarship

Awarded to undergraduates interested in attending law school. Scholarship funds are intended to be used for an LSAT Preparation course.

HBAA Bar Review Scholarship

Awarded to members of the Chicano/Hispanic Law Student Association at the UT School of Law. Scholarship funds are intended to be used for a Bar Review course.

HBAA Summer Bar Fellowship

Awarded to current students at the UT School of Law that accept summer employment with a nonprofit. Fellowship funds are intended to supplement summer income to enable more students to take on nonprofit work.

UT Law Scholarship

Awarded in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium to current students at the UT School of Law. Scholarship funds are intended to be used to assist with law school tuition and associated costs.


Ready to apply? Applications will be linked and accessible during the consideration period. Note: if you have already paid for a course you are taking in this calendar year and are selected for a scholarship, you will receive reimbursement for the enrollment cost of the course. 

For questions or to request one-time assistance, please email hbaasecretary@gmail.com.

Our Scholarship Recipients are Doing Great Things!

Draylen Mason Memorial Essay Competition

The annual HBAA essay contest encourages middle school students in majority-minority schools to think about higher education and a career in law. This year, the HBAA chose to rename the essay competition the Draylen Mason Memorial Essay Competition, in honor of the 2013 essay competition winner whose life was tragically cut short.

If you are an educator or HBAA member looking to volunteer, please email Sal Davila.

2024 foundation Leadership

Anthony Arguijo, (Chair)

Betsy Peticolas

Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle

Manuel Escobar

Adrianne Waddell

Salvador Davila

Vanessa Suarez

Lulu Flores

Amy Rodriguez

Jesse Butler

SAVE THE DATE!

HBAA’s Annual
Hispanic Heritage Luncheon

Wednesday, October 9, 2024
AT&T Conference Center

The Hispanic Heritage Luncheon is the primary fundraising event for the HBAA Foundation, which awards scholarships that enable economically disadvantaged Hispanic college students to become lawyers and ensure diversity in the legal profession, especially in our local community. Funds raised from the event will provide scholarships for college seniors who wish to take the LSAT review course, and scholarships for law students to help defray the costs of studying for the bar exam.

The Hispanic Bar Association of Austin believes one of its primary responsibilities is to help and encourage Hispanic students who have an interest in attending law school so that the legal community can have a larger percentage of practicing Hispanic lawyers. As the Hispanic population grows in central Texas, we want to grow the number of practicing Hispanic attorneys.