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NHI's Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you are or know a young person committed to making meaningful change in the world, and are driven toward building up our community, NHI and the Great Debate experience is a must.

For over three decades, first-year NHI members have come to harness the power of their voices and engage with perspective-changing ideas. The Great Debate offers a rigorous learning experience for high-achieving, high-ability 9th-grade youth who aspire to community and civic leadership roles in the future.

Great Debate Documents

Who is eligible to apply for the Great Debate?

All students are welcome to apply for the Great Debate if they meet the following requirements:

Currently enrolled in the 9th grade
Has a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
First-time NHI participant

Recommended Backgrounds:

Students who seek to enroll in and graduate from a four-year college/university
Students interested in increasing their knowledge of Latino/Hispanic/Latino cultures
Students who want to expand their peer network and receive mentorship

PLUS at least 2 of the following goals:

Students who aspire to be a community leader
Students who seek to strengthen their communication skills
Students who enjoy service and volunteerism
Students involved in extracurricular and/or enrichment programs
Students involved in: speech/debate, student council, volunteerism, honor society, Spanish club, Latino/Hispanic/Multicultural club, athletics, journalism

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & PROGRAM COST

What does the admissions process look like?

Complete online registration and submit a $25 registration fee
Upload a recent report card or transcript (last reporting period for 2023-2024 school year accepted)
Enrollment Office reviews the application within 1-3 business days
Upon acceptance, please pay a $150 non-refundable deposit within 10 days
Upload the completed Parent Release Form
Complete final tuition payment by assigned deadline (flexible payment plans available)

What is the cost of the Great Debate?

Tuition for the Great Debates covers four to six days on a college in dorms, a full meal plan, private access to training areas, a college day exclusively for program participants, a staff-student ratio of one adult to every fifteen students, supplies and materials, a commemorative program T-Shirt, a certificate of participation, and a highly-motivating curriculum. Upon official acceptance to the program, NHI requires a 150.00 USD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Families manage tuition in various ways from setting up an approved payment plan, seeking out sponsors, easy online fundraising, or even qualify for special select community grants. NHI makes it a point to work with each family on their specific plans for tuition.

Students who complete in the Great Debate will be granted all the rights, privileges, and honors of NHI membership, so long as they remain in good standing and will hence be invited to future opportunities for personal development as well as volunteerism and faculty development within the organization.

The cost of the Great Debate is broken down into distinct fees, all of which will culminate in supplying your student with the adequate resources for a fulfilling and fun leadership experience :