DREAMER (Undocumented)

Resources for Dreamers(Undocumented)

Scholarships, low-cost education and career programs, employer tuition support, and other opportunities make college and career training possible for DACA and undocumented students.

Information for High Achieving Students

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Several colleges are dedicated to making high-achieving undocumented including DACA students’ college dreams come true. These colleges meet 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need with grants, student employment, scholarships, and, in some cases, student loans.

Generous College Info for Undocumented and DACA Students

Click here for a resource outlining extra information from generous colleges for Undocuemnted and DACA Students. Created by BioScience students.

Cappex Info for Undocumented and DACA Students

College Greenlight and Cappex offer a list of colleges that meet all financial need for undocumented students including DACA.

Programs That Offer Funding or Free Training 

A New Leaf’s Assets to Opportunity (ATO)

A New Leaf’s Assets to Opportunity (ATO) is a matched savings program. With a savings goal of $500, the ATO program will match education participants with $8 for each dollar saved. This means a maximum matched amount of $4,000, giving participants a total of $4,500 to assist in funding their education.Matched funds can be used for tuition and fees, textbooks, school supplies, and any approved course materials at any accredited community college, university, or trade school in Arizona. ATOs are open to all who meet eligibility, including DACA and Dreamers(Undocumented). 

For more information contact

Genesis Dorame                                                         

(480) 833-9200 x 3415                 

Email ATO

ATO Information Flyer

Apprenticeship Programs

Registered apprenticeship programs open to DACA students provide training in fields like child care, construction, manufacturing, and much more.

Year Up

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Year Up is a DACA-friendly intensive, one-year program for college students ages 18-24 that combines professional coaching, hands-on skill development, and internships at some of America’s top companies.

About 85% of Year Up graduates are employed or attending college full-time within four months of completing the program. Those employed earn an average starting wage of $18 per hour—$36,000 per year for salaried employees. 

For more information, contact Gaspar Mata at Email Gaspar Mata or 480-498-7396 x2154. Or visit the Year Up website.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Funding is available to disconnected youth ages 16-24. A student is considered disconnected if they are not enrolled in a post-secondary institution or working. Most of our students would be considered disconnected the day after they graduate high school.

DACA, permanent residents, and citizens can qualify for $3,000 per year. Refer to the three City of Phoenix providers:

Jewish Family and Children Services Real World Job Development
9014 N. 23rd Ave., Building 2, Suite 3 Phoenix, AZ 85021
602-279-0084  

Chicanos Por La Causa
1112 E. Buckeye Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-257-0700 

YMCA
3825 N. 67th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85033
602-688-5332 

Affordable Education Programs

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Maricopa Community College Clock Hour Programs offer affordable options for quick career training. Clock-hour costs range from $5-$6 per clock hour for all students, including DACA and Dreamers.

Review Clock Hour Programs and start dates at various MCCCD sites.

For more information, contact Arnold Torres at Email Arnold Torres or 602-286-8212. 

MCCCD RioOnline

Rio Salado college logo

DACA and Dreamers can take advantage of a $2,750 ($5,500 yearly maximum for fall and spring semesters) out-of-state tuition cap.

See tuition and fees on the Rio Salado website, and review the list of available online programs, certificates, academic certificates, and degrees.

From more information, contact Sasha Flores at Email Sasha Flores or 480-517-8542

Tohono O'odham Community College

Tohono O'odham Community College logo

Now offering classes in Phoenix and on line! Tuition is affordable to ALL students. Online classes are $35 per credit. 

Paul M. Robertson, Ph.D., President of Tohono O'odham Community College

520-383-0010

Email Paul M. Robertson

Website LINK

Scholarships

The Dream.Us logo

The National Scholarship Fund for Dreamers helps immigrant youth with at least a 2.5 grade point average who came to the United States before Nov. 1, 2015.

Partner schools in Arizona include Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, and Benedictine University. GCU and Benedictine will cover any remaining tuition and fees beyond a student's scholarship award.

These national scholarships are highly competitive. Begin your Dream.US application.

Parsons' Dreamers Scholarship Application

Please note, this scholarship application requires a GCU Admission Application and academic transcripts. Both forms must be submitted and accepted by the 5/1/21 deadline. Early applications are encouraged. A DACA ID Card number or email confirmation from the Office of Homeland Security confirming that you have begun the DACA application process will be required to establish eligibility for the scholarship. Once admitted to GCU, DACA status will need to be confirmed through your University Admissions Counselor and uploaded to your student portal.

Details

  • 100, 4-year, full tuition scholarships

  • HS seniors or community college transfer with weighted GPA ≥ 3.0

  • Undocumented student with DACA or submitted DACA application

  • Deadline is May 1

  • Application Link

Maricopa Foundation Scholarships

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The Maricopa Community College Foundation offers two primary scholarship cycles in March and September of each year. Scholarships are open to all MCCCD students including DACA and Dreamers, but only a small portion apply.

Begin your MCC Foundation scholarship application.

Arizona Community Foundation

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The Arizona Community Foundation is the state’s largest provider of private scholarships—more than 90 total. Some scholarships are DACA- and Dreamer-friendly. All are competitive and open to students statewide.

Begin your application for an Arizona Community Foundation scholarship

Phoenix Union Foundation Scholarship Fund 

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Established to provide college scholarships to students of the Phoenix Union High School District who are pursuing a post-secondary education. The Phoenix Union Foundation Scholarship is located in the ACF Scholarship portal here. Begin your application Arizona Community Foundation scholarship.

Alcanzando Un Sueño Scholarship Fund

Cruz & Associates logo

Funded by Cruz and Associates, the program helps the next generation of Hispanic students achieve their post-secondary education goals. The scholarship is open to exemplary high school seniors of Hispanic descent residing in metro Phoenix who’ve overcome extraordinary challenges in order to achieve academic success.

Start your application for an Alcanzando Un Sueño Scholarship.

Isac Amaya Foundation

ISAC AMAYA FOUNDATION

The Isac Amaya Foundation guides and provides financial resources for students—regardless of their immigration status—to achieve a higher education. Scholarships are competitive and open to students across the state.

Start your Isac Amaya Foundation scholarship application

Golden Door Scholars Program

Golden Door Scholars

This highly competitive national scholarship program provides college access to DACA and Dreamers who came to the US before Nov. 1, 2014. Highly competitive national scholarship.

Start your Golden Door Scholars application.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund 

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Hispanic Scholarship Fund awards are open to Hispanic students (including DACA) who have 3.0 GPAs or better and plan to attend public universities. Highly competitive and open to students nationwide.

Apply for a Hispanic Scholarship Fund award.

Jack Kent Cooke Program

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The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.

Friendly House IME Becas

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The Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix and Friendly House created the IME Becas / Friendly House Program, which selects Mexicans or young people of Mexican origin to access a scholarship of up to $ 2,000.00 USD to start or continue their studies at an Arizona university or community college.

Contact: Sandra Valdez, Family Services Manager

Email Sandra Valdez

(602) 416-7227

We Rise Scholarships

ASU Logo

We Rise Scholarships are available to DACA or undocumented students attending Arizona State University. Find more information—including annual application periods and deadlines—on the ASU website. 

Scholarship Assistance

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Three ways to contact:

Picture link Immigrant Scholarship Hustle logo

Immigrant Scholarship Hustle is an intensive scholarship application program for immigrant students in Arizona. Over four sessions, immigrant students will learn to become self-sufficient scholars by developing writing skills and receiving mentorship, financial literacy, and community support to achieve their educational goals.

The program is sponsored in part by Scholarships A-Z, which supports education for all students regardless of immigration status.

Apply to Immigrant Scholarship Hustle.