Graduate School Resources
Social Finance’s Dreamers Graduate Loan Program (DGLP) 2026-2027
The Dreamers Graduate Loan Program (DGLP) is a student-friendly loan program for Dreamers with an active DACA or TPS status from certain eligible jurisdictions, providing graduate school loans with interest rates based on similar financing options available to U.S. citizens. There are no fees to take out a loan, no cosigner or minimum credit score requirements, and no prepayment penalty.
The Dreamers Graduate Loan Program is accepting new applications for AY 2026-27! Please review the overview of the program or the recording of the info session conducted last academic year (loan terms are subject to change annually) to see if you are eligible for the program.
The Interest Form to apply for the AY 2026-27 is now open! To apply for a loan with the DGLP program, you must complete the Interest Form by Wednesday, September 30th, 2026. If you have previously received a loan from the DGLP, you do not need to complete this Interest Form.
To be eligible for the DGLP, you must:
- If you did not receive a loan for the 2025-2026 Academic Year from the DGLP, you must complete an Interest Form by Wednesday, September 30th, 2026.
- Be an undergraduate scholarship recipient of TheDream.US, Golden Doors Scholars or Equal Chance for Education
- Have Active DACA or TPS immigration status at time of application signing
- Have a Social Security Number (SSN)
- Reside in an eligible state (Ineligible states include Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.)
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an Eligible Degree program at an Eligible Institution
- Pass a credit check; credit scores are not required (see full financial criteria in Program Key Loan Terms)
You must attend an eligible institution and pursue an eligible degree, please review the Degree Eligibility and Institution Eligibility list.
Please note that funding for this program is limited. While the program aims to support as many eligible applicants as possible, funding is not guaranteed and will be distributed based on the available funds, applicant eligibility, and other criteria. In some cases, applicants may not receive financial assistance even if they meet the eligibility requirements. The funding amounts and number of awards may vary each year, depending on the resources available.
For more information on the Dreamers Graduate Loan Program, please see the FAQ’s, or email [email protected].
Graduate Loan Scholarship Program
Scholarship Deadline: August 31, 2026 11:59 PM PT
We’re excited to continue our Graduate Loan Scholarship program aimed at assisting TheDream.US Alumni who have used private loans to fund their graduate education. This scholarship is designed to help lessen the loan debt for students once they complete their graduate studies. The private loans can be from any company including the Dreamers Graduate Loan Program, Discover, Ascend, Self-Help, etc.
Details & Eligibility:
TheDream.US Alumni are eligible to apply for this scholarship if they meet the following criteria:
- Was a recipient of TheDream.US Scholarship program; and
- Successfully graduated with a bachelor’s degree, or are part of a 4+1 program where they are seeking graduate funding for their last year; and
- Have received a private loan this year
- Be a Dreamer
Depending on the loan size, the student will receive one of these scholarship amounts:
- Loans between $5,000 and $15,000: $5,000 Scholarship
- Loans between $15,001 and $35,000: $7,500 Scholarship
- Loans over $35,001: $10,000 Scholarship
How It Will Work:
- TheDream.US Alumni takes out a graduate loan for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Once they receive a promissory note, including Student Loan Overview, they’ll be able to fill out TheDream.US Graduate Scholarship application. (This academic year 2026-2027, we will open the scholarship from June 15th to August 31st).
- ISTS will review the applications and decide on a scholarship amount (scholarship ranges from $5,000 to $10,000).
- ISTS will send checks out to the student with checks made to their university. Students are responsible for taking the check to their school.
- The University will direct back to the loan company any excess money that may be resulted from overfunding.
- The Loan company will then credit this amount to the student, thereby reducing the original loan amount.
- You can only receive one grant per year.
Test Prep
- Kaplan: Register for Free Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep is providing TheDream.US Scholars and Alumni FREE prep courses for admissions tests for law school (LSAT), medical school (MCAT), business school (GMAT) and graduate school (GRE) and many more. - GRE 50% Discount Vouchers (PDF)
TheDream.US is in partnership with the GRE – ETS Board to provide discount vouchers for Scholars and alumni.
Applying for Graduate School

Navigating Graduate School: Guide for Undocumented Students
Details legal and practical concerns including the application process, accessing financial aid, transportation, employment, taxes, and resources for support.

My Undocumented Life: Resources for Undocumented Graduate Students
A list of key information & resources to help you navigate the graduate school application process and experience while undocumented (with or without DACA).

Law School Guide
A guide compiled by an undocumented lawyer with suggestions for those who are seeking to attend law school.

Law School Resource Guide for Undocumented Students: Getting to Law School
A resource to help with the application and financial aid process, focusing on immigration-specific considerations, with contributions from immigrant and first-generation students, many of whom are undocumented and DACAmented.
Paying for Graduate School
- Immigrants Rising: Scholarships for Graduate School
- My Undocumented Life: Scholarships for Graduate School
- Paying for Graduate School Workshop (Video)
- Resources from TheDream.US Grad School Mini-Conference: August 2021 (PDF)
More Loan Companies
All information on loan products offered through other loan companies was taken from the respective websites. The information shown is current as of the date of its writing without regard to the date on which this information is accessed. Loan products offered through other loan companies may be subject to change at any time and for any reason.
Remember, private loan programs require you to repay these loans usually as soon as you graduate. Some programs require you to make payments while you are in school. Students are obligated to repay the loan in full, including any interest accrued, according to the terms and conditions outlined in your Promissory Note at the time of signing.
- Ascent – DACA students can apply for an Ascent loan with or without a cosigner. Ascent helps you cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance and other school-related expenses (up to $200,000*) at over 2,200 colleges nationwide by offering DACA student loans for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Discover – To qualify for a student loan with Discover, DACA students will need to apply with an eligible cosigner (U.S. citizen or permanent resident). Discover offers loans with variable or fixed rates that cover 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance for students that are enrolled at least half-time in a graduate program at an eligible school. A cashback reward is offered for students that keep a GPA over 3.0.
- Self-Help – Self-Help offers loans for medical or law school students with DACA status that attend full-time certain qualifying universities in Miami-Dade County, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and in California. A co-signer is required for borrowers that do not have sufficient income at application to qualify. Loans have a fixed rate based on the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan Program and cover the total cost of attendance (up to $300,000 for medical school and $180,000 for law school).
- Earnest – DACA students may be eligible for an Earnest loan if they apply with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The cosigner must have a Social Security Number, a minimum FICO score of 650, 3 years of credit history and make a minimum of $35,000 annually. Earnest offers loans with variable or fixed rates that cover 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance and an up to 9-month grace period before borrowers have to begin making full payments on their loans.
Resources for Choosing a Degree & Institution
- Is Graduate School Worth the Price?
Podcast: Wall Street Journal - Is a Graduate Degree Worth the Debt? Check It Here
Article: Wall Street Journal - Graduates of Elite Master’s Programs Don’t Earn Enough to Pay Down Loans
Article: Wall Street Journal - ‘Financially Hobbled for Life’: The Elite Master’s Degrees That Don’t Pay Off
Article: Wall Street Journal - This Law School Had the Widest Gap Between Student Debt and Graduate Earnings
Article: ABA Journal - The Great Masters Degree Swindle
Article: The Chronicle of Higher Education - A Crimson Tide of Debt
Article: The Atlantic - Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?
Article: CNBC