The exact number has not been estimated, but it can be figured out that over 65,000 illegal immigrant students graduate every year in the US. Most often, these undocumented children can complete their education only till the high school level. After which, they usually drop out due to the lack of legal documentation, little knowledge about available grants and scholarships, and the undisputed factor of belonging to low-income communities.
These students are under the impression that they cannot legally attend college in the US due to their unclear immigration status. Another factor that stops them from attending an accredited college is the tuition fees. Most colleges charge an out-of-the-state fee from the immigrant scholars to attend their campus. This sum can be outrageous; hence students are obligated to stay out of college. The last factor is a lack of proper knowledge towards obtaining financial scholarships and grants.
The below-listed scholarships are in aid of students who have come to the US soil to realize their dreams. Hence the government has set up many private and public foundations to facilitate these low-income students the chance for higher education. With these scholarships, every undocumented student has the right to federal financial aid.
1. The Anhelo Project Dream Scholarship Application
The Anhelo Project is based in Chicago and is a non-profit organization that works for the upliftment of undocumented students who require financial assistance for higher studies. This foundation has, over the course of time, granted $ 200,000 scholarships for students who come from the lower-income bracket of the migrant population. The students need to have excellent academic skills, leadership qualities, and community service achievements.
Their grade score must be above 2.0 to 4.0 GPA; the students must also be committed to spending 20 hours of volunteer service at the Anhelo Project campus. They must be enrolled in an accredited college in the state of Illinois. The application also needs two recommendation letters from a counselor/teacher.
Provided by: The Anhelo Project organization
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 29th January 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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2. Ted Rollins Eco-Scholarship
The Valeo group has named the scholarship after their founder Ted Rollins, who is a pioneer in the field of investment banking, tech financing, marketing, start-up business funding, and construction. This grant offers full coverage to one student twice a year; it is exclusively for students covering the course of marketing, sustainability, and business.
The students are expected to submit the application with an essay on the benefits of sustainability and business that is co-related to the preservation of the environment. The grant can be utilized towards paying the tuition fees, course material costs, and boarding expenses.
Provided by: Valeo Group
Amount: $ 1000
Deadline: 1st December 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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3. The Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship
It is the largest organization that has partnered with individual foundations, business entrepreneurs, successful tech companies, and donors to fund the education of migrant students who have access to official documentation. The Dream.Us was founded to secure the passions of millions of students who enter the US soil with just their vision for a better future. The Dream.US Opportunity scholarship is aimed at students stuck in locked-out states with no education or paying for their college and out-of-state tuition.
The students have the only obligation to continue their four-year course in the college that ties up with the Dream.US organization. The grant is renewable each year, and it covers the course fees, boarding expenses, meals, and financial assistance to purchase the relevant books.
Provided by: The Dream.US
Amount: $ 80,000
Deadline: 31st January 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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4. RTDNF Journalism Scholarships
The RTDNA has been a pioneer when it comes to redefining the news channels that broadcast instant coverage of all that is happening in the world. Students who want to pursue an active and exciting career in journalism are awarded the RTDNF scholarships every year by this agency. Since 1970 this news association has awarded over $ 1 million grants to deserving students who want to pursue broadcasting.
It has been a tradition that students who have received this scholarship have served at the White House and even become board members with the RTDNA. The grant allows a kick start to the world of journalism in the diverse fields of radio, television, and digital news broadcasting. The students who win this grant are also invited to the RTDNA conference held annually. Along with the application, the student needs to describe their interest in the field along with their plans.
Provided by: The Radio Television Digital News Association
Amount: $ 80,000
Deadline: 12th January 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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5. Mexican-American Dream Scholarships
COFEM has been dedicated to the cause of migrant students who are given the opportunity to pursue their dream education with specific scholarships. The Mexican-American Dream scholarship is one such grant that has been established for the benefit of students who are the sons and daughters of immigrant parents. Those who come from low-income groups are eligible for this particular grant.
Each year with donations, this grant covers the expenses of students enrolled in a four-year course in an accredited college in the US. The students who are applying must also be a member of the COFEM affiliated club. Their academic excellence must be on a GPA score of 2.8 and above. The bursary also encourages students to take 20 or 40 hours of service to the community through COFEM.
Provided by: Consejo De Federaciones Mexicanas
Amount: $ 500 – $ 1000
Deadline: Opens Spring, 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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6. The Martin Family Foundation Honors Scholarship Program
The University of Washington has incorporated the Martin Family Foundation Honors Scholarship exclusively for undocumented students residing in the Washington area. The students can become the recipient of this award through exceptional work in their communities and those who showcase immense talent to pursue higher education. The main criteria to apply for this grant are that the student must be attending or should have attended a community college in Washington.
Applications are not judged on the basis of color, creed, religion, economic status, or the country of the student. It gives the student a chance to pursue a course of their choice at the University of Washington.
Provided by: Martin Family Foundation– University of Washington
Amount: $ 12,000
Deadline: Opens May 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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7. The Ascend Fund NY
The Ascend Educational Fund has been established exclusively for immigrants and their children who are studying in high school in the New York area. Students who want to pursue a four-year college degree in an accredited college in the US can apply for this scholarship. Students are awarded this grant regardless of their nationality, immigration status, or ethnic background. With this grant, they can attend any university, private or public college of their choice.
The main criteria here is that the student must be an undocumented citizen born out of the US. They must belong to one of the five boroughs of New York City and have an excellent academic track record.
Provided by: Ascend Educational Fund
Amount: $ 2,500 – $ 20,000
Deadline: 4th February 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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8. Kennedy Memorial King Scholarship
The Kennedy-King Scholarship Memorial College Scholarship Fund Ltd has been established since 1968. The foundation has been able to award more than $ 6 million scholarships to deserving students from the minority communities who are undocumented in the US. The Kennedy Memorial King Scholarship has been named after two luminaries from history – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The aim of this scholarship is to provide quality education to the youth who come from economically challenging situations.
Students are required to provide proof of their financial position with the grant application. They should also be eligible to transfer their education to a four-year course in an accredited college in the US. Students must also be community-oriented and have excellent academic standing.
Provided by: Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship Fund Ltd
Amount: $ 2,501 – $ 5,000
Deadline: 4th February 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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9. Scholarships 360
The main aim of the Scholarships 360 is to provide affordable education to all students residing in the US. They are committed to meeting this objective by making this grant available to high school, college, community college, transfer, and graduate students. This grant is a unique opportunity for students as it ignores their financial situation, immigration boundaries, school records, or any form of community development.
The only main criteria for obtaining this grant are registering on the Scholarships 360 website and remaining committed to their emails, promotional content, and newsletter commitment. The student is not required to write an essay or submit a recommendation. However, they must remain registered on the website to qualify for the grant.
Provided by: Scholarships 360
Amount: $ 1000
Deadline: 30th September 2022
Education: Undergraduate
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10. Cooke College Scholarship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has been established to provide various scholarship programs to students from across the country from an economically low background. Since that time, the foundation has awarded over $230 million in scholarships to students from diverse ethnic, cultural, migrant, and financial backgrounds. Students who are well deserving and high achievers are eligible for this grant to get into any four-year course with an accredited college across the US.
The students will benefit from one-on-one mentorship sessions with the senior members of the foundation for applying to the universities and courses of their choice. They will also be advised on how to handle their finances as a college student.
Provided by: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Amount: $ 55,000
Deadline: 18th November 2022
Education: Undergraduate
Apply Now
Conclusion
At present, there are many universities and organizations in the US that support first-generation immigrant students in educational institutions for pursuing their degree courses. The key is to start planning early on the right choice of course that ticks all the boxes of the student’s career goals. The above scholarships aid immigrant students to dream higher about their future and get financial funding for the desired course.
