The Illinois Coalition Assisting Undocumented Student Education (I-CAUSE) is a student-led organization at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign dedicated to advocacy, awareness, and community support for undocumented and immigrant students. Our mission is rooted in one simple belief: every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education, regardless of immigration status.

For many undocumented students, the path to college is filled with obstacles — not just the challenges of navigating an unfamiliar system, but the heavy financial burden that comes without access to federal or state financial aid. Unlike most students, undocumented students cannot receive FAFSA-based assistance, federal loans, or many scholarships. This means that the dream of earning a degree often depends entirely on their own ability to pay.

That’s why the I-HOPE Scholarship was created. Funded entirely through donations and our organizations fundraisers, this scholarship provides essential financial support to undocumented and DACA-eligible students at UIUC who would otherwise struggle to continue their education. Each contribution helps cover tuition, textbooks, housing, and other critical expenses that make a real difference in a student’s ability to stay in school and focus on their goals.

Last spring, we were able to provide three $1000 scholarships. Our goal each year is to expand the number of scholarships and increase the amount awarded, so that even more students can continue their education with stability, dignity, and hope.

With your help, we can continue to grow this fund and provide life-changing opportunities to more students each year. Your donation, no matter the size, directly impacts someone’s ability to pursue their education, achieve their goals, and give back to their community.