Support the CPS Dream Fund Scholarship

Help students make their postsecondary dreams a reality

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Help students make their postsecondary dreams a reality

CPS Dream Fund Scholarship: helping students make their postsecondary dreams a reality

CPS's DREAMers—undocumented students granted the right to live and study in the U.S. under 2012's federal DACA program—are not eligible for federal financial aid, such as the PELL grant, subsidized student loans, or work study. That makes achieving a college education even more difficult for a group of students already shouldering the many burdens of non-citizenship.

Our graduates transition into successful careers in various STEM fields, education, nursing, and social sciences. They're giving back to their communities, working in nursing and on the front lines of COVID-19, protecting our financial interests in banking cybersecurity, starting businesses and solving problems as engineers and entrepreneurs –– to name a few.

Our undocumented students are very limited to financial aid access since they do not qualify for federal aid assistance. This scholarship provides aid to undocumented students from Chicago Public Schools who are looking to further their education. The Dream Fund lends a hand to our DREAMers by offering talent- and need-based college scholarships to qualifying students.

Your contribution to the CPS Dream Fund helps provide a college education to a high-achieving CPS DREAMer who might not otherwise have the financial wherewithal to attend college.

Scholarship Recipient Story
Karla, CPS Dream Fund Scholar
As a DACAmented student, CPS alumnus Karla Bernal was granted the right to live and study in the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival Program (DACA). She was, however, ineligible for financial aid for college. Fortunately, Karla’s achievement as a student qualified her for a scholarship from the Dream Fund. Thanks in part to that support, Karla was able to attend Dominican University, where she became a Golden Apple Pathway Scholar and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Now, Karla has returned to CPS as a teacher at Columbia Explorers Academy.


About Children First Fund

Children First Fund (CFF), the Chicago Public Schools Foundation, is the philanthropic and partnership arm of Chicago Public Schools (CPS). It serves as a knowledge hub and liaison between CPS and its community of partners, securing and organizing resources that advance CPS’ mission to provide a high-quality public education that prepares every child in every neighborhood for success in college, career, and civic life. 90 cents of every dollar donated to Children First Fund directly supports CPS students, programs, and services. For more information, please visit https://www.childrenfirstfund.org or find us on social @ChiFirstFund.