Berkeley Announces $1 Million Scholarship Fund For Undocumented Students

The fund will provide financial assistance to about 200 students

ByABC News
December 11, 2012, 4:14 PM

Dec 11, 2012— -- About 200 undocumented students at University of California Berkeley will be helped by a scholarship fund announced today. The new "Dreamers Fund" was created with a $1 million donation from the Evelyn and Walter Junior Foundation. The fund is the biggest of its kind at any university in the U.S.

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Though undocumented students qualify for some financial resources from the state, they are not eligible for federal Pell grants, federally backed loans or work-study positions.

"Against great odds, our 'Dreamers' have persevered to be here at Berkeley — adding so much to this campus," said university Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau. "Our challenge is to continue ensuring that all our students at Berkeley, regardless of background, have access to their dreams, and that we do not waste the potential of a single talented person."

An additional gift of $300,000 by Elise Haas will support the creation of a new resource center for undocumented students.