A proposed state-government budget amendment would provide funding to support efforts by local Latino students to apply for colleges and universities and to seek financial aid.

Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-49th District, is asking for a $168,500 appropriation for the coming fiscal year on behalf of the Shirlington Employment & Education Center, which would administer the program.

Lopez’s measure estimates the funding would support 1,000 Latino high-schoolers in the local area in applying to colleges and to seeking out financial-aid opportunities.

Legislators will consider the proposal later in the session, which runs through late February.