Resources for DREAMers
Applying for college is confusing. Understanding what to study and where to do it is difficult enough, but it can be even more overwhelming for undocumented students who are unsure what their options are.
If you are undocumented, “DACAmented”, or a DREAMer know that college IS an option. As you look through the websites and resources on this page, make sure to keep track of any questions that come up—counselors and college coaches are more than happy to discuss these matters in greater detail.
Also, make sure to take advantage of Juarez’s very own Dreamers and Allies Club. Open to all students, regardless of legal status, the Dreamers and Allies Club exists to support all undocumented students at Juarez. For more information please contact Ms. Chavez (mchavez46@cps.edu) or Ms. Carbajal (emcarbajal1@cps.edu).
Financial Aid
As of today, undocumented students do not qualify for Federal and State financial aid through the FAFSA. However, there are MANY opportunities for undocumented students, and every year undocumented students from Juarez attend college.
Do not mistake the SSN granted through DACA as an indication that you qualify for FAFSA. While DACA does grant authorization for work, only permanent legal residency makes you eligible for government aid.
Institutional Aid
Many colleges allow students to compete for financial aid that is not funded through federal money. Policies regarding the extent of financial aid available to undocumented students vary by institution. For more information regarding policies at universities in the state of Illinois, please visit:
https://www.iacac.org/undocumented/
Below you will find CPS’s guide to navigating the college application process as an undocumented student. While not comprehensive, it does provide information in a very structured and organized way.
https://chooseyourfuture.cps.edu/high-school-college-career/undocumented-students/
Finally, please look through Documenting the Pathway to College: A Handbook for Undocumented Strudents, found here:
http://www.actonadream.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Documenting-the-Pathway-to-College-10-30.pdf
Documenting the Pathway provides an overview of steps undocumented students should be taking throughout high school to be successful in your senior year.
Scholarships Links
From CPS
Chicano Organizing & Research in Education–Que Llueva Café Scholarship
http://www.ca-core.org/que_llueva_cafe_scholarship_program
Get Ready for College
http://www.getreadyforcollege.org/pdfGR/ScholarshipsUndocumented.pdf
Illinois Latino Council of Higher Education (ILACHE)
http://ilache.com/scholarship.html
Immigrant Youth Financial Resource Guide
http://www.iyjl.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/IYJL-Immigrant-Youth-Fina…
FastWeb
Latino College Dollars: Scholarships for Latino Students
LINC Telacu
http://telacu.com/site/en/home/education/applications.html
Mexican American Legal and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
http://www.maldef.org/assets/pdf/MALDEF_Scholarship_Resource_Guide.pdf
Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF)
Scholarships Open Students Regardless of Immigration Status
http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/Media/Documents/ScholarshipsOpenToStudentsReg…
U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard Scholarship Guide
http://roybal-allard.house.gov/UploadedFiles/2009_Paying_for_College-mas…
From IACAC
FinAid
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Illinois Dream Fund
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Consolidated List of Scholarships and Resources Available to Students Regardless of Immigration Status (PDF)
Golden Door Scholars
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
TheDream.US
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
QuestBridge
National College Match
College Greenlight
26 Scholarships for Undocumented Americans
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEFF)
Scholarship Resource Guide 2014-2015