Don’t think that financial issues make college out of reach. That was the message sounded repeatedly to several hundred parents and students, who attended College Camp Houston at Chavez High School on March 1 to find out more about the financial aspects of preparing for higher education.

The workshop, hosted by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and Wells Fargo Bank, provided students and parents with advice for paying for college, researching financial aid, and obtaining scholarships. Bankers and education finance specialists guided families through the application process.

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“The first thing we want to help students do is understand is there is a lot of free money out there,” said Daniel Contreras of Wells Fargo Bank.

Chavez High School student Cynthia Padilla said the workshop helped her feel confident about her future.

“I definitely think it’s possible for me to go to college,” Padilla said. “I know that my parents weren’t able to, but I’m 100 percent sure that I am capable of it, and scholarships can fix the money problem.”

The College Camp Series is part of a nationwide collaboration between Wells Fargo and HSF, which includes a commitment of $8.1 million over the next three years to help middle school, high school and college students achieve academic success.