How To Apply

Opportunity Scholarship ROUND will open November 1, 2019

Good news! You can use this same application to apply for our Scholarship AND apply to our Partner Colleges at the same time.

Application Deadline: January 30, 2020, 11:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time

Seriously – don’t miss the deadline! If you do, we cannot consider your application.

Our application is simple and straightforward. Below is an overview.

If you have any difficulties in completing the application, reach out ISTS (our scholarship management provider):

Email: [email protected]

Call: 1-(855) 670-ISTS (4787) and ask for the TheDream.US Scholarship Program

Demographic Information

You will provide us the same demographic information that you will include in most of your college applications.

You will be required to certify that you:

1. Have current DACA or TPS authorization and that you will renew it if you are legally able to do so and provide your Employment Authorization Document Number (EAD) and the expiration date; or

2. Meet each of TheDream.US immigration eligibility criteria and you will apply for lawful presence or lawful status as soon as you are legally able to do and provide any requested data to confirm your eligibility.

We DO NOT ask for your home address and you DO NOT have to upload your DACA or TPS documents.

Academic Information

You will select your 1st and 2nd choice Partner Colleges in this section.

Please research each of these colleges (majors offered, proximity to home, cultural fit, etc.) prior to selecting your 1st and 2nd choices. You will not be allowed to switch Partner Colleges unless there are extenuating circumstances.

You will also provide your high school academic information (and community college information if you have attended community college).

Transcripts:

You will be required to upload the following documents by January 30, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. PST:

• A copy of your official or unofficial high school transcript showing grades and cumulative GPA through Fall 2019 or high school equivalency diploma,
• SAT or ACT test scores, and
• A transcript for any community college credits earned after high school.

Financial Information

Our scholarship is available to low-income students who cannot otherwise afford to go to college. To assess this, we need to understand your financial situation.

• If you’re a dependent student, we need your parents’ and your financial information to get a full picture of the family’s financial strength.
• If you’re an independent student, we only need your financial information (and, if you’re married, your spouse’s) to assess your financial strength.

You indicate whether you are a dependent or an independent student and then, based on your status, provide:

• Annual household Income;
• Number in the household supported by this income; and
• Number of dependents supported by this income who will attend college in 2020-21.

You DO NOT have to upload any financial records.

Responsibilities

While we consider your academic achievements and potential, we also focus on your volunteer, community service, and home responsibilities as these are indicators of your motivation and determination to succeed. We know that many DREAMers have significant home responsibilities so please do not overlook this section.

Essays

While we will consider your academic record and volunteer and community service activities in selecting finalists, the most important part of your application is your two essays. This is your opportunity to let the Selection Committee know that you have the motivation and persistence to exceed in college and in life.

The essay prompts are:

1. Your Educational and Career Goals – 750 words max:

• Describe your educational and career goals and explain what or who has inspired or helped shape these goals.

• Excluding financial needs, what are the most significant challenges you expect to face in successfully completing college? How will you overcome these challenges?

2. Overcoming Adversity – 750 words max:

• Describe a challenging family or personal circumstance that has affected your achievement or participation in school, work, or community activities.
• How did you overcome this challenge and what did you learn from the experience above?