NIACC celebrates decision to keep DACA intact, successes of Dream Scholar Award

The recent Supreme Court decision to keep the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program intact ensures local students have the ongoing ability to receive a college education.

Implemented in 2012, DACA allows people who came into the United States unlawfully as children and meet several requirements to receive deferred statuses and be eligible for work permits for two-year periods.

North Iowa Area Community College President Steve Schulz in a release celebrated the decision, stating that students with DACA status are major contributors to NIACC.

“DACA students are an important part of our campus community and we remain committed to supporting them in their educational goals,” Schulz said.

Students in DACA situations are part of the inspiration behind NIACC’s Dream Scholar Award. The scholarship was named in honor of DACA students, who are referred to as “Dreamers.” Valeria Gonzalez, Bilingual Enrollment Advisor, and International Student Recruiter at NIACC, said that the scholarship was designed to help undocumented and DACA students reach their goals.

Each year for the last six years, NIACC has offered three, $3,500 scholarships. Fifteen students have applied since 2014 and 10 have qualified and received the scholarship.

Gonzalez said the Dream Scholar is vital to those students because the state of Iowa does not have laws that restrict colleges and universities from barring undocumented or DACA students from attending. Because that decision is left up to the individual institutions, NI-ACC administration identified a need to not only accept students in those situations, but offer financial benefits to help them reach their goals.

“Undocumented and DACA status students are living right here in North Central Iowa,” she said. “They are graduating from our local high schools and many struggle with navigating higher education pathways.”

She added that not only does the Dream Scholar Award provide financial assistance, it comes with a liaison to help DACA and undocumented students navigate several aspects of college life.

“Being that trusted individual within the community, building relationships, a liaison to help bridge the gap in a culturally sensitive format was and continues to be crucial in helping students navigate financial aid opportunities and the admissions and enrollment processes overall,” she said. “NIACC’s Dream Scholar Award provides us the tool we need to make dreams happen.”

To be eligible for the Dream Scholar Award, students must complete the application process, provide a high school transcript, answer two essay prompts, provide a reference letter speaking to their character, be undocumented or have a DACA status and reside in the state of Iowa. Students must also carry a 2.5 high school GPA or must have completed their HSED and enroll in a full-time diploma or degree-seeking program at NIACC. If qualifications are met, they will be asked to interview in front of a panel of three NIACC representatives.

Locally, students have taken advantage of the opportunities presented through the Dream Scholar Award. Gonzalez said three Hampton-Dumont graduates have received the Dream Scholar Award and all three have since graduated from NI-ACC. Those students have gone on to four-year colleges, started businesses and have all around positioned themselves for success beyond college.

Gonzalez said those students, in turn, have become ambassadors for NIACC and can now serve as inspiration to students who come from similar backgrounds and situations.

“College changes everything from significant impact on potential career prospects and future salary, to changes in poverty levels, life expectancy, crime and obesity rates in our communities while helping strengthen our economy and labor force,” she said. “College is not only a life changing experience for the student, but those who they are closest to and our entire community and if we can help facilitate a small part of that, I feel that is what makes the difference.”