National Hispanic Institute

About the Texas Star Great Debate

We are proud to announce the 2025 Texas Star Great Debate at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. With the support of the President's office, we are bringing back the 6-Day Great Debate to one of its first campuses. "OLLU" was the host of 6-Day programs in the early 2000s which would attract top leaders from Central and South Texas and often Northern Mexico. The 2025 program is slated to continue engaging future leaders from

Through the years, NHI has cultivated relations with a significant number of universities, mostly private, as reference possibilities when selecting their preferences. As members of NHI’s College Register, these institutions are located throughout the U.S. and usually attend NHI college fairs and admission workshops that give them one-on-one communication with NHI students. On different occasions some of these institutions go a step further. They realize the importance of placing young minds in environments that excite the possibilities of college and make higher education real in their lives.

We look forward to seeing you at the Texas Star Great Debate! Featuring Great Debate participants from: San Antonio, Cotulla, Judson, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Seguin, Lockhart, New Braunfels, Laredo, Austin, Round Rock, Del Valle, the Rio Grande Valley, El Paso, and communities throughout Northern and Central Mexico.

What is the cost of the Great Debate?

Tuition for the Great Debates covers 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 :

Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
Great Debate Non-Refundable Deposit - $150
Great Debate Tuition: $695 (does not include the $150 deposit)

What does the payment schedule look like?

NHI will provide details about the payment schedule upon acceptance into the program.

NHI is committed to flexibility - that is, payment plans and fundraising tools are available to all families who request them.

About Our Lady of the Lake University

In 2025, OLLU will provide a private, historic campus in one of America's oldest and booming cities. San Antonio is also just a stone's throw from many growing communities in the Hill County and on the way to South Texas and the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands.

At the Texas Star Great Debate students will go through a journey at to improve their language skills and word management while working together to bring home the silver cup. Coaches and trainers are expected from top institutions throughout the United States and Mexico. It will be led by some of NHI's most experienced communications experts.