stateofcalifornialetterhead

September 26, 2017


Good Afternoon Colleagues,


As you may know, earlier this month the Mission Asset Fund (MAF) announced a scholarship fund to help young immigrants pay for the $495 DACA renewal fee. Today, the fund is announcing it has now tripled in size to reach $3,000,000—enough to help 6,000 Dreamers renew their DACA permits for two more years. To date, 4,000 scholarships have already been issued, with 2,000 scholarships still available—making this DACA renewal fund the largest of its kind in the nation. It is also important to note, close to 900 of the applications received so far are from California community college students.

On September 5, the Trump administration announced that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program is ending. DACA has provided security, safety, and a livelihood for 800,000 young people commonly known as "Dreamers." Of the 154,000 Dreamers eligible to renew their DACA permits before the program ends on March 5, 2018, most are able to cover the application costs themselves. For Dreamers who are eligible for renewal but cannot afford the $495 application fee, MAF has stepped in with a solution now available nationwide: scholarships to help Dreamers renew their DACA status (LC4DACA.org).

There is a great deal of support for the young people who know this country as their only home. California Dreamers, many of whom are our students, want to live life outside of the shadows — so that they can study, earn a degree or certificate, work and build a future for themselves and their families. DACA was the salvation that brought them into the light of day. But, unfortunately, their opportunities are quickly dissolving.

I am writing this letter to let you know – there is still time. Our colleges can help California Dreamers. We still have a few days to help as many of our students as possible apply for their DACA renewal before October 5. Can you please help me get the word out to your college and community? At California's Community Colleges, we encourage our students to follow their dreams. We want them to know our values remain the same - to help all students reach their educational goals.

DACA recipients with expiring permits are encouraged to visit LC4DACA.org and apply immediately. DACA recipients with a permit expiring between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018 are eligible to receive the scholarships. All scholarship applications are being reviewed the same day and checks are mailed out by express mail the next business day. MAF is accepting scholarship applications through Friday, September 29.

My office will be sending another press release out to the media (with similar information to this letter) and sharing it with the college public information officers. I wanted to reach out to you directly and ask for your support in delivering this important message. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.


Sincerely,

eloyoakleysignature

Eloy Ortiz Oakley
Chancellor