Solorio 2017-18 DREAM Scholarship
Donation protected
Solorio’s 2017-2018 DREAMers Scholarship Drive marks the fourth annual year that the Solorio community has come together to raise money to help fund scholarships for its graduating seniors who are undocumented. As years have passed and political climates have changed, the importance of this scholarship to our students has only grown. To date, the fund has awarded over $11,000 in scholarships to sixteen different students who in turn have used the money to pay for tuition, books, and fees.
In addition to all of the obstacles that any other Solorio student faces in making college a reality, undocumented students are faced with the additional hurdles of being ineligible to receive any state or federal financial aid. For many, this means closing an already large financial gap without access to over $10,000 in grants and additional low interest loan opportunities open to their peers.
To ensure that the students are the sole beneficiaries of the scholarship, all of the money raised will go directly towards the scholarships and be disbursed to the students' institutions. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and will go a long way in helping students accomplish their educational goals.
Testimonies:
"As an undocumented student, I am fortunate to be a recipient of the Solorio Academy Dream Team Scholarship. I am grateful for all the people that decided to donate as much or as little as they could. Financial hardship is often the main reason undocumented students are unable to pursue higher education. The money I receive from the scholarship will be used to offset some of my student contribution. I did not realize how expensive college is and how many costs come with it. However, attending Pomona is one of the best choices I have ever made, and I am thankful that I had the support to get me here. As a first-generation student, I struggle to find resources, but I have had the unconditional support of family, friends, and my Solorio family. Receiving this scholarship helped solidify the financial security that was not there. I realize that there are undocumented students who need the support as much as I do which makes me appreciate this opportunity even more." -Alejandra, Pomona College (CA)
“Thanks to the DREAM Team scholarship I will have money the funds to pay for books my first year in college! College is stressful enough with schoolwork, and it’s good to not have to worry about paying for them. I feel as if it was just yesterday that I began my freshman year and now we have about 3 weeks left and we begin second semester. I recently looked back at the number of papers I've written this semester and I was really surprised, time does fly when you're in college.” –Deisy, Dominican University (IL)
“As a Dreamer, I would greatly thank all those who have donated to the Solorio Academy Dream Scholarship. Regardless of the amount you have donated, it all makes the difference. I was fortunate enough to go to Connecticut College to advance my education. It is difficult as a Dream student to receive any if at all financial aid to continue our studies. This only adds to the amount of pressures a high school senior has to go through of deciding what school to go to due to financial situations. A scholarship like this helps alleviate those students, like myself, in believing anything is possible with the help of all. Once again, I want to greatly thank all those who have donated regardless of the amount. "
–Alejandro, Connecticut College (CT)
In addition to all of the obstacles that any other Solorio student faces in making college a reality, undocumented students are faced with the additional hurdles of being ineligible to receive any state or federal financial aid. For many, this means closing an already large financial gap without access to over $10,000 in grants and additional low interest loan opportunities open to their peers.
To ensure that the students are the sole beneficiaries of the scholarship, all of the money raised will go directly towards the scholarships and be disbursed to the students' institutions. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and will go a long way in helping students accomplish their educational goals.
Testimonies:
"As an undocumented student, I am fortunate to be a recipient of the Solorio Academy Dream Team Scholarship. I am grateful for all the people that decided to donate as much or as little as they could. Financial hardship is often the main reason undocumented students are unable to pursue higher education. The money I receive from the scholarship will be used to offset some of my student contribution. I did not realize how expensive college is and how many costs come with it. However, attending Pomona is one of the best choices I have ever made, and I am thankful that I had the support to get me here. As a first-generation student, I struggle to find resources, but I have had the unconditional support of family, friends, and my Solorio family. Receiving this scholarship helped solidify the financial security that was not there. I realize that there are undocumented students who need the support as much as I do which makes me appreciate this opportunity even more." -Alejandra, Pomona College (CA)
“Thanks to the DREAM Team scholarship I will have money the funds to pay for books my first year in college! College is stressful enough with schoolwork, and it’s good to not have to worry about paying for them. I feel as if it was just yesterday that I began my freshman year and now we have about 3 weeks left and we begin second semester. I recently looked back at the number of papers I've written this semester and I was really surprised, time does fly when you're in college.” –Deisy, Dominican University (IL)
“As a Dreamer, I would greatly thank all those who have donated to the Solorio Academy Dream Scholarship. Regardless of the amount you have donated, it all makes the difference. I was fortunate enough to go to Connecticut College to advance my education. It is difficult as a Dream student to receive any if at all financial aid to continue our studies. This only adds to the amount of pressures a high school senior has to go through of deciding what school to go to due to financial situations. A scholarship like this helps alleviate those students, like myself, in believing anything is possible with the help of all. Once again, I want to greatly thank all those who have donated regardless of the amount. "
–Alejandro, Connecticut College (CT)
Organizer
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
Organizer
Chicago, IL
