Dear Partner Colleges,
Given the uncertain landscape, we are implementing a change in our scholarship application eligibility and updating our resources for serving DREAMers in these uncertain times. Please read on.
Modification to Eligibility Criteria: Immigration lawyers are recommending that students seeking DACA for the first time not apply for DACA. In order to allow these students to apply for our scholarship, we are allowing them to submit a Declaration of DACA Eligibility found in our application and on our website (and seen at end of this email). If DACA remains in place, scholarship recipients will need to have applied for or received DACA before the Fall in order to receive the TheDream.US Scholarship award in the Fall of 2017. We are currently working with our advisory board, donors, and legal counsel to assess our forward path should DACA be eliminated.
Encouraging Applicants to Apply Now: It is now more important than ever for undocumented youth to go to college. Should President-Elect Trump alter DACA or move forward with some version of a DREAM Act – being in college may be to their advantage. Below is a message you can use to encourage prospective scholarship applicants to apply.
Webinar on Effective Practices for Supporting Undocumented Students: We are inviting you to a webinar conversation on effective practices colleges are using to support and protect undocumented students. You can find an update of the Effective Practices here: http://www.thedream.us/for-partner-colleges/effective-practices-toolkit/
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 6th at 1pm EST/10am PST. Please register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1150903180098454530. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Go To Webinar.
Thank you for all you are doing to support our Scholars and all undocumented students on your campuses. We are heartened and thankful to be part of a group of colleges which so deeply care about the future of DREAMers and the positive impact they have on our nation.
With gratitude,
Tania Wilcox
Director of College Partnerships
TheDream.US | www.thedream.us
Message to encourage applicants to apply now:
It is a time of uncertainty and angst. And this is why you should apply for TheDream.US Scholarship – NOW!
First, being in college may help you if and when the government passes some form of a DREAM Act. So don’t delay! Start your college education now with a scholarship from TheDream.US.
Second, the facts are compelling. College graduates:
· Typically earn 66% more than a high school graduate;
· Are more than twice as likely to be employed;
· Are twice as likely to participate in society as a volunteer; and
· Are nearly twice as likely to vote.
· By 2020, an estimated two-thirds of job openings will require postsecondary education or training. Our nation will need you!
Your college education can never be taken away from you! Apply now!
Note: For DREAMers who have not applied for DACA, immigration lawyers recommend that you do not do so at this time. But don’t worry. You CAN still apply for our scholarship. All you need to do is complete a Declaration stating that you have read the DACA eligibility criteria and that, to the best of your knowledge, you are eligible for DACA.
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Declaration of of DACA Eligibility
TheDream.US’ current eligibility criteria require that you have or have applied for DACA or TPS in order to apply for our scholarships. Given current circumstances, immigration lawyers are recommending that undocumented immigrant youth NOT apply for DACA at this point. If you have decided not to apply for DACA, you can still apply for our scholarship by completing and submitting the following Declaration as part of your Scholarship Application.
DECLARATION
I hereby declare, under the penalty of perjury, that:
- I have reviewed the following DACA eligibility criteria and I believe that I am eligible for DACA:
- I was under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
- I came to the United States before reaching my 16th birthday;
- I have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
- I have been physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making my request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
- I had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
- I am currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or was or am currently serving as an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
- I have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors in the categories which would disqualify me for DACA, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
- I understand that, in order to be receive the TheDream.US Scholarship award in the Fall of 2017, I must have been granted DACA.
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Print Full Name (as it appears on your scholarship application)
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Sign Full Name (as it appears on your scholarship application)