The broad topic of these hearings was Hispanic access to higher education. In the first hearings, held in Puerto Rico, and specifically about Puerto Rico, testimony was given by representatives of public and private academic institutions and student service programs on the following: high school graduation problems; enrollment in higher education and retention of students in degree and certificate programs; major barriers to higher education for Puerto Ricans and programs to overcome those barriers; how federal help (in the form of student financial assistance, institutional development grants, and special services for disadvantaged students) impacts on the students who are able to go to college, university, and technical schools, and how these programs influence the successful completion of school for students in Puerto Rico; and the weaknesses in existing programs and unmet needs in Puerto Rico. Hearings on the mainland heard testimony on barriers to Hispanic access to higher education; factors affecting the retention and graduation of Hispanic students in higher education; the professional development and advancement of Hispanics, particularly in the field of higher education; and institutional assistance to colleges and universities serving low-income Hispanic students. (CMG)