Scholarships for Undocumented Students?

Undocumented Student paying for college, should I go back to my country?

• I am an undocumented senior planning to attend a four-year university next year. I've been accepted to many prestigious universities and among them are UC Berkeley and UCLA which are my final choices. Before people start criticizing and calling me a lowly illegal immigrant and a crminal, PLEASE PLEASE hear me out. I came to the United States at the age of eight because, to my knowledge, my family was rejected to a visa. For the purpose of achieving the American Dream, my family illegally immigrated to the United States with all of the money we can scrap for in our country. At the young age, I was not aware that I was different from everybody else. I did not understand why I would not be able to qualify for scholarships and opportunities than other students. As soon as I figured out that I was at a disadvantage from the other millions of high school students in the United States, I began working, studying, and becoming mentally stronger than anybody else in the nation. I understood that in order for me to succeed in this country, that working three times harder than everybody was mandatory. I became the valedictorian of the school. That was not enough, so I pushed myself further and was elected as the Student Body President. As a result, I was accepted to the college of my dream: UCLA and UC Berkeley. And now I have a huge problem. I have to somehow be able to pay an enormous sum of $55,512. I am doing everything I can to find a solution. I am researching for scholarships that I can qualify for and doing everything I can to attend the school of my dream. But sometimes, the burden is overwhelming and I wonder if all that hard work will all go to waste. Not a day goes by without fearing my future. This is not a pity story and I can understand why citizens can consider illegal immigrants a criminal. But I promise that I am an American at heart and if I am given the opportunity, I will repay this great country tenfold. What I am asking for are ideas and solutions because going through this difficult time all by myself is agonizing. Where can I find the money to attend a college? Who can I turn to to ask for help when it's necessary? Is there any website I can fundraise in? Is there anywhere else I can let my problem be known and seek help for? If there is anything I've learned through my struggle, it's that nothing is impossible. Please help me turn this American dream into a reality. Thank you very much.

• Answer:

  Well, I'm not going to judge. Not for me to do that. However, since you realize that you are not a US citizen, the first thing you SHOULD be doing is obtaining that. Once you do that and get a valid SSN, you can at least apply for federal/state aid and loans. Also, you need to do ASAP so that selective service will not be an issue for you. To answer your questions though:..... Where can I find the money to attend a college? None from the government. You can try for scholarships, however, you can see the costs for you for ONE YEAR. Who can I turn to to ask for help when it's necessary? Again, no help from the government. No answer for this one. Is there any website I can fundraise in? Nope. Besides, why would an organization do that online? It SCREAMS deport me. Is there anywhere else I can let my problem be known and seek help for? Your school only other option. Or go back home. If there is anything I've learned through my struggle, it's that nothing is impossible. However, somethings aren't plausible.