DREAMers in STEM

This page is intended to provide resources and information to undocumented students pursuing higher education, specifically in STEM majors. In general, there is a lot of information a DREAMer will need to achieve their educational goals, yet is is achievable. This is only one resource of many now available. DREAMers, parents, advisers, teachers, and other educators should familiarize themselves with the resources available.

Are you a Dreamer?
Who are the DREAMers? You are an undocumented person who:

• Entered the U.S. without legal immigration status, OR
• Stayed after the period that you were authorized to be here, AND
• May have arrived at the U.S. at any age, typically as a child.

Learn more about topics relevant to you:

• Understand the law, including DACA, HB 1079 and The Real Hope Act

As a nation of immigrants, the United States has benefited tremendously from the talents, values, and contributions of newcomers to our shores. In the face of immense barriers, many undocumented youth have exhibited exemplary perseverance, work ethic, and leadership. Yet hurdles and challenges remain. Many educators, counselors, and school leaders have expressed interest in learning how to better support all children so that they can achieve educational and economic success – regardless of actual or perceived immigration status. Informed by research and promising practices, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) has compiled this Resource Guide to assist and enhance State and local efforts to support undocumented youth at the secondary and postsecondary school levels.

Source from "A GUIDE FOR SUCCESS IN SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY SETTINGS,"  U.S. Department of Education October 20, 2015.
https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/focus/supporting-undocumented-youth.pdf

Local Universities 

• University of Washington Seattle: Campus resources for undocumented students and the Purple Group
  
• University of Washington Bothell: Resources for DREAMers
• Washington State University: The Crimson Group
• Eastern Washington University: Aid for Undocumented Students
• Pacific Lutheran University: Undocumented Students
• Seattle University: For Undocumented Students
• Western Washington University: Resources for Students Without Document

Resources

• Financial Aid
• Community & Advocate
  

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Financial Resources

• WASHINGTON APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID (WASFA)
  State Financial Aid for DREAMers: Eligibility for several Washington State financial aid programs has expanded to include students who are ineligible for federal financial aid due to immigration status. Students who meet individual program, income, or residency requirements for the State Need Grant, the College Bound Scholarship, State Work Study, or Passport Scholarship should complete the free WAFSA(Washington Application for State Financial Aid) to apply for state financial aid. "How to complete the WAFSA" [PDF] 
• Questions and Answers Financial Aid and Undocumented Students
  The questions and answers that follow provide information about student financial aid for undocumented students (sometimes referred to as "Dreamers") as well as guidance for a specific subgroup of undocumented students who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). 
• Repository of Resources for Undocumented StudentFinancial Aid and Scholarships — Research includes information on available scholarships as well as resources on the states that provide financial aid. Making information on this process available to a much wider audience can help education advocates and policymakers understand the ways and opportunities to make financial resources available to undocumented students.

Various other sites

• MALDEF  – Latino Legal Voice for Civil Rights in America
• SALEF  – Salvadoran American Leadership & Educational Fund
• Washboard  – Additional scholarships for which you may be eligible
• AES Engineering Scholarship
• Scholarship Junkies

Community & Advocate Resources
Visit these resources for more information:

• Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) A San Francisco–based non–profit organization that empowers undocumented young people to pursue their dreams of college, career and citizenship in the United States. They address the holistic needs of undocumented young people through direct support, leadership development, community outreach and advocacy.
• Latino Educational Achievement Project (LEAP) Started in 1998 to improve academic achievement of Latino students. LEAP offers services such as an annual educational conference and legislative day, student leadership forums and public education workshops for parents, students and educators. LEAP is a tax–exempt, non–profit organization in Washington State.
• College Guide for Undocumented Students Learn facts about the path to citizenship, how to overcome obstacles and know your rights as an undocumented student, searching for and selecting colleges, applying for college, financial aid and more.
• Washington Dream Coalition A grassroots youth movement of undocumented immigrants and allies in the state of Washington who raise awareness and build support to push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act.
• St. James Immigrant Assistance Services Non–profit organization in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood. They provide Citizenship application assistance, DACA and DAPA application assistance, Citizenship classes and Naturalization classes.
• "Improving Higher Education Opportunities for Undocumented Students" PDF pamphlet created by the Washington State Educational Access Coalition for HB 1079 Students.
• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Connect with Dreamer resources, workshops, community presentations and legal clinics for individuals interested in DACA.
• United We Dream   This is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation. Their powerful nonpartisan network is made up of over 100,000 immigrant youth and allies and 55 affiliated organizations in 26 states.