DREAM Come True: Eisenhower High School Student Receives TheDream.US Scholarship

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Eisenhower High School student Brenda Rubio (pictured on right) recently received a [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]TheDream.US Scholarship. Brenda is among the 500 applicants across the nation selected during the 2014 fall scholarship round.

TheDream.US Scholarship is the first and largest scholarship program for undocumented students. The media and other organizations have come to call these students “DREAMers.” The name is from the proposed Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) federal legislation.

At this time, undocumented students do not qualify for Pell grants and other types of federal financial aid. Nor are they eligible for many other scholarship programs. Without financial help, many of these students do not have an opportunity to go to college.

Graham Holdings Company CEO Donald E. Graham, his wife, the acclaimed writer Amanda Bennett; Democratic activist and philanthropist Henry R. Muñoz III and former Republican Cabinet secretary Carlos Gutiérrez formed TheDream.US. The co-founders launched TheDream.US in early 2014 with an initial $25 million scholarship fund.

Each of the co-founders felt there needed to be something to help students without legal status.

[quote]The DREAMers I know are very highly motivated,” said Graham. “They want an education, and many want to be of service to others. But they often face countless roadblocks to college achievement. We’re are making a down payment on our country’s future by helping these young Americans achieve the American Dream.”[/quote]

“They (young immigrants) face extreme obstacles to success,” said Muñoz. “But like so many who have come before them, they have great promise if only given a chance to take part in the American Dream. We believe that all DREAMers should have the opportunity to get a college education.”

“Individuals dedicated to a brighter future have come together,” said Gutiérrez. “We believe that college access is vital to DREAMers’ ability to contribute to their families, their communities and the future of this nation.”

Philanthropic and business leaders supporting the initiative include the following:

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
Coca-Cola Foundation
Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation
Bloomberg Philanthropies
PepsiCo Foundation
Mark Zuckerburg & Priscilla Chan through Startup: Education & the Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Pierre & Pam Omidyar

According to information found on the initiative’s website, there are at least 650,000, and possibly as many as 2 million DREAMers in the U.S. right now. They are Hispanic, Asian and European. Each year, there are approximately 65,000 students who graduate from U.S. high schools without legal status. In an opinion column posted in The Dallas Morning News, Amanda Bennett wrote, “If we educate these students, we can create a powerful resource for their communities and for all of us in this country. If we fail to do so, we lose a whole generation of motivated talent and ability.”

To be eligible for a scholarship, DREAMers must meet certain criteria. Below are just a few examples (Visit [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]TheDream.U.S. website for the full list of requirements.):

[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Must qualify for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program[/li] [li] Must have graduated from a U.S.-based high school with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (or achieved a GED diploma with an equivalent score) [/li][/ul] [ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Must show financial need[/li][/ul]

During the fall scholarship round, nearly 1,700 students submitted applications. Scholarship America and an independent Selection Committee evaluated and used a scoring process. Evaluators from the DREAMer community, philanthropic, education, business and nonprofit sectors composed the committee.

The committee members selected scholars based on their academic potential and demonstrated motivation to succeed.

TheDream.US initiative does not only intend to provide funds for DREAMers to attend college. The initiative also seeks to help students succeed in college. Recipients of the scholarships must attend one of many Partner Colleges. These colleges will provide scholars with extra help, including a designated counselor.

Candy Marshall stated that the scholarships would change the trajectory of the DREAMers’ lives. But added that the initiative is not just about putting students in college without the support they need to succeed. Marshall serves as president of TheDream.US.

“We’re not just about getting kids into college,” said Marshall. “We’re about getting students out of college.”

TheDream.US scholarships help cover a student’s cost of tuition, college fees and books. Scholarships range in size depending upon the demonstrated financial need and tuition cost. Scholarship awards range up to $25,000 per student.

To keep receiving the scholarship funds, the scholars must fulfill their end of the deal. Each year, they must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. And they must remain enrolled in a Partner College as well as maintain their DACA status to receive the scholarship.

A recipient who earns an associate’s degree from a Partner Community College can attempt to get more monies. The funds would help the scholar complete a bachelor’s degree at another Partner College.

Just to give an idea of the caliber of students TheDream.US awards scholarships to, one only needs to look to the initial class of 39 scholars. They received their scholarships just before the official launch of TheDream.U.S. The group had a cumulative GPA of 3.5. This class will get a chance to pay-it-forward. The scholars will help build a national community of DREAMer-scholars. They will provide peer-to-peer support to each other and to future scholars.

This is not a scholarship program for every DREAMer. Graham stated that TheDream.US doesn’t have the money to pay for a whole lot of people’s tuitions. But the program is helping many DREAMers, including Aldine ISD student Brenda Rubio. The [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Eisenhower High School senior received a $25,000 scholarship. The International Baccalaureate (IB) student will graduate with the spring Class of 2015. Brenda plans on attending the University of Houston to pursue the school’s advertising and marketing program.

Brenda, a shy and soft-spoken student, is originally from El Salvador. But in 2003, her mother made the decision to leave her homeland in search for better opportunities for her family. Since the age of five, Brenda has lived in Houston with her mom and two siblings. She has not only thrived while in the U.S. but she has also taken every opportunity to succeed. Brenda currently holds a 3.1 GPA and is expected to graduate in the top 5 percent of her class.

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Carly Rice couldn’t be happier for Brenda. Rice made Brenda aware of TheDream.US scholarship opportunity and encouraged her to apply. Rice serves as an [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Advise TX adviser at the campus.

“I have seen her grow immensely this year,” said Rice. “The University of Houston is Brenda’s number one choice school to pursue her degree. She has worked hard to achieve all that she has. With this scholarship, Brenda is able to fund her college education and is well on her way to achieving her dreams. I could not be more proud of her and look forward to what she will do in her future.”

Teacher Kaileigh Rosplohowski is also proud of the IB student. Rosplohowski serves as the IB visual arts teacher and National Art Honor Society sponsor at Ike. She taught Brenda during her freshman year and is currently her senior IB visual arts teacher. Aldine ISD offers the entire [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB continuum — Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma. [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Eisenhower is an IB World School. The campus offers students the opportunity to take part in its rigorous academic program to earn an [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB diploma.

“I have had the privilege to teach Brenda,” said Rosplohowski. “Over the years, she has demonstrated growth and achievement not only in the arts but also as a young adult. Brenda is an open minded, intelligent young woman who has several qualities to be successful in college and in life. She is an inspiration for students and sets the standard and expectation for my IB students.”

Brenda is now looking at a future full of possibilities.

“I am overwhelmed with excitement to now have the means to attend my first choice college,” said Brenda. “Without this scholarship, there would have been many challenges ahead of me. This scholarship is helping me to go after my dreams. I feel like everything is possible.”