Dream Scholarship Fund

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Deadline has passed for 2010 Dream Scholarship

For years, Korean American youth tirelessly campaigned for the passage of the DREAM Act— tailored legislation that would provide a path to legalization for eligible immigrant students who grew up in the United States if they attend college. While we will continue working towards the immediate passage of the DREAM Act, we also started to look at other barriers to higher education. One such barrier is that financially needy students are less inclined to pursue higher education because of the costs. Thus, the DREAM Scholarship Fund was established and is operated under the beliefs that education is a human right and that education is key to America’s prosperity.

[edit] Who We Are

The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), Korean Resource Center (KRC) and Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC)—Empowering the Korean American Community comprise a network of community-based organizations advancing progressive civil rights and immigrant rights issues and promoting the full participation of Korean Americans in American society.

[edit] Eligibility

Identify as Asian Pacific Islander American
Demonstrate financial need
Currently is a senior at a U.S. high school or up to a junior in a U.S. accredited college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking student. International students are not eligible.
Have demonstrated achievement in the arts, community service, sports, or other activities
Must live in California or Illinois.

You are ineligible to apply if you are directly related to staff or board of NAKASEC, KRC, and KRCC.

[edit] How to apply

Applications may be submitted by mail, email, fax or delivered in person and postmarked by May 15, 2010 to be considered. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted

If you live in Illinois

Submit to:
Dream Scholarship Fund
Korean American Resource & Cultural Center
2701-A W. Peterson Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
Email: eunyoung@chicagokrcc.org

If you live in California

Submit to:
Dream Scholarship Fund
Korean Resource Center
900 South Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Email: dsf@krcla.org
Fax: 323.937.3526

[edit] What's needed in the application

A completed application form
Essay
The contact information of two references
Current official transcript
Tuition statement from current or intended college
A copy of Expected Family Contribution (FAFSA results) OR parent/guardian tax return and/or applicant’s tax return

[edit] Essay Question

On a separate sheet of paper, please respond to one of the two following questions within 500 – 1,000 words. You may respond in English or Korean.

What is one challenge facing Asian Americans today? Propose a solution and your role towards that solution.
Pretend you were able to create a community and you have the power to have one unlimited resource (not money). Describe the community you have created or you are a part of and describe the unlimited resource you have chosen. Explain how that resource will help your community prosper.

[edit] Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Most questions are answered within the application itself. Please read the application carefully. For further questions, please contact the appropriate NAKASEC affiliate organization according to your state of residence.

I will be using the scholarship for graduate/law/medical school. Can I apply?: No. Only high school seniors to undergraduate juniors may apply.

What do you mean by “accredited college”?: When a college is “accredited,” it means that it has been reviewed and programs have been evaluated for quality. The accreditation is usually done by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE). All public universities, community colleges and most private universities are accredited. Do not worry about whether or not your college or university is accredited or not – most likely they are and if there are any concerns we will contact you.

How do I prove that I am Asian American or Pacific Islander?: You only need to identify yourself as Asian American or Pacific Islander.

Do I have to send in my FAFSA and my parent’s tax returns?: Only if you have your FAFSA and/or your parent’s tax returns. If you do not have your FAFSA or parent’s tax returns, just fill out the “Household Financial Information” worksheet in the application (page 4).

I don’t know which college I want to go to. Do I have to send in the tuition information for all the colleges I got into?: No. Just choose one and send the tuition information for that college.

Do I have to provide a copy of my SAT score?: Submitting your SAT score is optional.

If I become the scholarship recipient, when will I receive the scholarship money?: Please consult with each individual center.

Will the scholarship recipient list be made public?: We want to have some form of public announcement (press conference, awards ceremony, etc.) with the goal of encouraging next year’s applicants to apply, and ask the community to help fund the scholarship. Since the Dream Scholarship is supported by the community, we do the publicity in order to be transparent and accountable to those who helped fund the scholarship. However, we will respect your privacy and remove your name (or use a pseudonym) if you request it.