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- How to win scholarships for DACA students
- Resources for DACA students
- Frequently asked questions
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How to win scholarships for DACA students
If you’re applying to scholarships for DACA students, you may be required to submit an essay as part of your application. Scholarship committees often review thousands of submissions, so it’s important to write an essay that stands out from the crowd. One of the best ways to do this is by telling a story that demonstrates who you are. Your essay will be much more interesting if you hone in on a specific event that helped shape who you are and what you aim to achieve.
To learn more about how to write a strong essay, check out the following guides:
- How to write an essay about yourself
- How to write a 250 word essay
- How to write a 500 word essay
- Overview of common scholarship essay prompts
- How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)
- How to write a winning scholarship essay
- How to end a scholarship essay
Resources for DACA students
The following list offers a variety of resources for DACA students. Remember to check with your current school, as sometimes there are local resources and groups to take advantage of and get involved in.
Immigrants Rising Mental Health Connector
This free and confidential organization provides undocumented young people in California with 100% free psychological support and resources.
National Conference of State Legislators
This website offers students and their families information on what their state offers DACA students in regard to higher education funding.
Questbridge Prep Scholars Program
The QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship helps high-achieving high school juniors successfully apply to the nation’s top colleges. The Program provides resources such as a full scholarship to a college summer program at Stanford, Yale, Notre Dame. These scholarships are valued at up to $20,000, and cover travel, tuition, and room & board. The program opens in March, so bookmark and check back!
TheDream.Us
This website offers legal resources and links to other sites where DREAMers can find scholarships, programs, and local support.
US Department of Education DACA Q&A
This document is written in an easy to understand Q&A style. The questions are organized into two categories: “Eligibility for Financial Aid” and “Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Form.”
Frequently asked questions about DACA scholarships
Can I apply for scholarships if I have DACA?
Also see: How to pay for college: A guide for DACA students
Can DACA recipients go to college for free?
There are also other scholarship opportunities out there specifically meant for immigrant students and DACA recipients. So, you still stand a chance of going to college for free, or for a very reduced cost. Of course, you’ll have the best chance if you maintain strong extracurriculars, score high on standardized tests, keep a high GPA, and write strong college and scholarship applications.
Does FAFSA cover DACA students?
Although DACA students should fill out the FAFSA to become eligible for other forms of financial aid, they will not be eligible for federal funds that American citizens can access through the form. They will not be able to receive the Pell Grant, Stafford Loans, Parent PLUS loans, or any form of federal aid.
That being said, filling out the FAFSA is still incredibly important for DACA students. It can determine your eligibility for institutional aid, and other scholarships may use your EFC as a benchmark of demonstrated financial need. The process of filling out the FAFSA might look a little different for DACA holders, but we’ve got all the information you need below.
Related: Filling out the FAFSA for international students
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