Advocacy in Florida
Florida continues to be home to one of the nation’s largest Dreamer populations, with over 95,000 DACA-eligible immigrant youth living, learning, and contributing to the state’s communities and economy.
Since 2013, TheDream.US has proudly awarded more than 1,600 scholarships to Florida Dreamers, empowering them to pursue college degrees and career pathways that strengthen Florida’s future. Today, the state’s 750 graduates and 400 currently enrolled Scholars represent a growing network of leaders—working as nurses, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and innovators across Florida.
Florida Dreamers’ stories reflect resilience and excellence:
- Average age of arrival: 6 years old
- First-generation college students: 67%
- First-year persistence: 91%
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Average time to bachelor’s degree: 4 years
The top fields of study among Florida Scholars are:
- Science, Math & Technology (27%)
- Business (26%)
- Health & Medicine (22%)
- Social Sciences (13%)
From Miami to Orlando to Tampa, TheDream.US has built a statewide movement for college access through partnerships with Miami Dade College, Florida International University, Broward College, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, and Valencia College.
Sadly, after more than a decade of advocacy, the Florida Legislature recently ended the in-state tuition waiver for Dreamers. This decision makes college significantly less accessible, as out-of-state tuition is cost-prohibitive for most students and will have long-term consequences for the state’s workforce and economy.
Our hope is that in the near future, lawmakers will recognize the economic and social benefits of tuition equity. We share this Florida Snapshot to highlight the success of making tuition fair, supporting students, and allowing them to contribute fully to Florida’s vitality, competitiveness, and shared prosperity.