After the Texas Dream Act was struck down, I've been desperately searching for other options. I refuse to give up on college, but I need to be realistic. In-state tuition was my whole plan. Now I need a new one.
Here's what I've found about scholarships for undocumented students in Texas (sharing in case it helps anyone else in this nightmare):
Private scholarships: Some organizations don't ask about immigration status. They're rare, but they exist. TheDream.US is a national organization that awards scholarships to undocumented students. One student I read about gets about $4,000 per semester from them . But even with that, if she has to pay out-of-state rates, she'd still be $6,000 short each semester.
Institutional aid: Some colleges have their own aid programs that don't require citizenship. It varies wildly by school. I'm making a spreadsheet of every Texas college's policies.
Foundation scholarships: Local foundations and community organizations sometimes offer aid. My counselor (finally helping now that I'm panicking) gave me a list of Hispanic scholarship funds, faith-based organizations, and community foundations. Many don't ask about status.
Crowdfunding: I hate that this is even an option, but some students use GoFundMe. It feels humiliating, but if it means I can go to college...
The harsh reality: Even with scholarships, the gap is huge. One student I read about is looking into finishing her degree online through a Mexican university . Another is taking as many classes as possible this summer and fall, racing to finish before changes fully hit .
What I'm doing now:
If anyone knows of specific scholarships for undocumented students in Texas, please share. I'm making a list and applying to everything. I refuse to let this stop me.
Here's what I've found about scholarships for undocumented students in Texas (sharing in case it helps anyone else in this nightmare):
Private scholarships: Some organizations don't ask about immigration status. They're rare, but they exist. TheDream.US is a national organization that awards scholarships to undocumented students. One student I read about gets about $4,000 per semester from them . But even with that, if she has to pay out-of-state rates, she'd still be $6,000 short each semester.
Institutional aid: Some colleges have their own aid programs that don't require citizenship. It varies wildly by school. I'm making a spreadsheet of every Texas college's policies.
Foundation scholarships: Local foundations and community organizations sometimes offer aid. My counselor (finally helping now that I'm panicking) gave me a list of Hispanic scholarship funds, faith-based organizations, and community foundations. Many don't ask about status.
Crowdfunding: I hate that this is even an option, but some students use GoFundMe. It feels humiliating, but if it means I can go to college...
The harsh reality: Even with scholarships, the gap is huge. One student I read about is looking into finishing her degree online through a Mexican university . Another is taking as many classes as possible this summer and fall, racing to finish before changes fully hit .
What I'm doing now:
- Applying to every scholarship I can find, even tiny ones
- Talking to my school's counselor (finally brave enough)
- Reaching out to immigrant rights organizations for help
- Looking at community college first (still cheaper?)
- Trying not to lose hope, even though I'm terrified
If anyone knows of specific scholarships for undocumented students in Texas, please share. I'm making a list and applying to everything. I refuse to let this stop me.