Florida’s in-state tuition waiver for dreamers strengthens the state – stories and excerpts of TheDream.US Scholars and Alums.
Meet The Dreamers
Diego
A 2022 magna cum laude graduate of the University of South Florida.
“I’m not a fan of beaches or amusement parks, but the one thing that’s kept me in Florida is the people. USF was a difficult education journey for me, but the students, staff, and faculty made it so worthwhile. In-state tuition was part of the only reason I could even obtain a higher education … eliminating the waiver would make it impossible.”
Helena
A Master’s degree candidate who works with autistic children.
“I am in my last semester of my Master’s of Exceptional Student Education, specializing in behavior analysis and autism. I currently work with children on the autism spectrum. I love helping them better their independence, gain self-advocacy and daily skills. I am using my hard-earned education for the better of my community. There is a waitlist of families that are in need of help but are waitlisted due to not enough staff. If I did not have the in-state tuition waiver, I would not have gotten an associate’s degree and I would have given up and felt so lost in a state that I have grown up in since I was seven.”
Bela
A Florida International University student and TheDream.US Scholar.
“I am a Floridian. I graduated from high school here and lead the youth group at my church. Today I’m a junior studying to become a psychologist because I’ve come to understand how critical mental health resources are to our communities. Being forced to pay out-of-state tuition would make it impossible. I have been in Florida for eight years and I’m planning to be here for 80 more.”
Murilo
A medical student at Nova Southeastern University KPCOM.
“If I had not been able to afford my undergraduate degree, a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University, then I would be unable to pursue this dream of becoming a physician to care and treat others. Were it not for in-state tuition, I would not have been able to afford my education … The legislation that allowed in-state tuition also was one that made me feel like I belonged in the community. I love Florida’s hard working mentality, its diversity and how those two components come together. Here, you meet people from all over the country and the world who believe in the American dream and work together alongside each other to achieve it.”
Cesia
A graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Computer Science, now works as an Engineering Program Manager at a Fortune 50 company.
“Early in my college journey at Florida International University, I found my passion for computer science when I served as the Director of Mangohacks – a 36-hour hackathon. I am now working at a Fortune 50 company as an engineering program manager leading a team of engineers. I would not have been able to achieve what I have today without in-state tuition and TheDream.US” Watch an award winning FIU video HERE about Cesia and the university’s support for Dreamers.
Alexander
A Florida International University graduate who hopes to become a physician assistant.
“I was born in Santiago, Chile, and came to the United States as a 1-year-old. In-state tuition has paved the way for many Florida Dreamers’ careers. I hope to become a physician assistant and provide primary care to my community. A community that I love because of its diversity, friendliness, and tropical weather.”
Jensy
A FIU graduate who is a current 8th grade teacher in the Teach for America program.
“If it wasn’t for in-state tuition, I would not have been able to pay for and finish achieving my degree in a timely manner. Some people struggle having to work more than go to school but because of this privilege I never felt the need to put my studies aside because I couldn’t afford it. It should remain because I know there’s many more of us first gen students that use our money not only for school but to support our families as well.”
Ruben
A graduate from the University of Central Florida and plans to become a doctor.
As UCF Today wrote in a profile: “With the goal of becoming a physician one day, he knew that he had to find a way to pay for school without creating further financial burdens for his older sister and mother, who were already working hard to provide for his family. So he sought help from a high school advisor who encouraged him to apply for a scholarship from TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college access and success program for DREAMers. Through a partnership with UCF, the organization has provided funding for Mercado Santos’ tuition, along with a small stipend for books — and now he’s days away from earning his bachelor’s degree. ‘I attended UCFs Grad Walk a few weeks ago, and when I walked across the stage … it was a culmination of all the sacrifices my mom and sister have made for me,’ the biomedical sciences major says. ‘The degree may have my name, but in reality it is awarded to all three of us.’”
Ivan
A FIU senior, was profiled in a Miami New Times story that highlighted those affected by earlier in-state legislative proposals.
As the piece noted, “Without the out-of-state waiver, Florida International University (FIU) senior and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient Ivan Vazquez says, he wouldn’t be able to afford college. Vazquez came to the U.S. from Mexico at age 13 and attended his first two years of college in Central Florida, where he paid for classes by working as a cook. “With out-of-state tuition costs, I would never even be able to dream of going to college. It would be so detrimental, I wouldn’t be able to afford it,” he says. Vazquez pays for schooling at FIU with TheDream.US scholarship.”
Tisha
A Broward College nursing student who has lived in Florida since age four after moving from the Bahamas, writes.
“I am a first generation college student. At Broward College, I plan to study nursing. I want to help those that don’t have access to the proper healthcare, be passionate about my work, and serve as a role model for my four siblings.”
Thamar
A TheDream.US scholar from Florida Atlantic University aspires to be a doctor and writes.
“I am an immigrant born in Haiti. I have been in the U.S. since I was 6 years old. My future goal is to work in the medical field and to one day become a surgeon.”
Miguel
A TheDream.US Scholar from Valencia College and the University of Central Florida, aspires to be a lawyer.
“I have been here my whole life. I have been a positive member of society and look forward to fully serving this country and its communities as a positive example.”
Jennifer
A TheDream.US scholar from University of Central Florida, hopes to work in the legal field. She writes.
“Passing Dream legislation is important to me because this is home. The U.S. is all I know. My citizenship may be Mexico but the U.S. in my home. This country has given me so many opportunities that I cannot even fathom where I would be if my parents had not brought me here. Permanent protection will bring me peace and will make me feel welcomed.”
Harold
A UCF student majoring in health science who wants to go into nursing.
“I’m in my last semester at UCF majoring in health science. I’m paying $6,200 per year but if I were paying out of state rates, it would be $22,000—almost four times as much. I want to go back to school for nursing all the way to get my license as an NP. I want to go into pediatric or emergency medicine. When my mom was diagnosed with lupus, I was introduced to medicine and I loved the excitement and unpredictability of working in a healthcare setting along with the good feeling of helping people.”
Valentina
A junior at UCF majoring in criminal justice and minoring in political science and pre-law.
“With in-state rates I pay $2,800 per semester but without it, it would be about $9,000, which I could not afford. My dream is to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer because these issues have had a very personal effect on my life, including helping my own mother with her Green Card process. I’ve lived in Florida my whole life in the U.S. and I love it here so much. We Dreamers deserve an opportunity to develop professionally just like any other student.”
Alex
Starting in May at Miami Dade College’s medical campus and wants to be a physician assistant.
“I got my bachelors at Florida International University (FIU). I want to do sports medicine. I’ve always been interested in it because I grew up playing soccer, so I saw a lot of injuries. I didn’t have insurance growing up and wasn’t always able to go to the doctor. I want to be able to help our community—undocumented folks. I want to be prominent in fighting for them. I would never be able to get where I am today without the in-state tuition. I may not be a U.S. citizen but I still give back to my community with my skills and I pay taxes.”
Charly
A senior at FIU majoring in computer science who wants to work in tech.
“Including housing, I’m currently paying about $7,000 a semester. Without in-state tuition, it would be about $12,000. I’ve been doing software engineering internships because that’s what I want to do. I started as an engineering major at Hillsborough Community College. I love coming up with solutions to problems through software. It’s a very unique way of solving problems in the world. I’ve invested a lot into Florida—not just taxes but purchasing a car, paying my driving fees, groceries. We Dreamers bring more to the table than what we’re taking.”
Aquiles
A junior at FIU studying communications who wants to go into broadcast news.
“I pay $6,000 a year—without in-state tuition, it would be $18,000. I come from a country where media is highly controlled, which is why I’m passionate about the American value of free speech and visual storytelling. I love the idea of holding those in power accountable and sharing the voice of my people. My Dreamer peers and I grew up here. We’re Floridians in our core and we want to help the state pay taxes and see the state thrive.”
Julio
A 2019 FIU economics graduate who wants to build his own business helping other small businesses expand their online presence.
“MY FIU degree cost around $3,000 per semester—without in-state tuition, it would have been three times more. I couldn’t have completed my education without it. Since in-state tuition rates for Dreamers was passed in 2014, we’ve seen an increase of students graduating high school because they understand that college is now accessible to them. That has helped make Florida more competitive.”
Daniela
A 2020 FIU health services administration graduate, now an account manager for a large health management corporation.
“I love my job, helping to save lives by providing administrative help to doctors who are caring for people. I want to go on and get my MBA, MPH, or MPA. I’ve been in Florida my whole life—it’s home. It symbolizes opportunity and progress to me. I believe anything is attainable through God. Please don’t take away this opportunity for young adults who are hungry to be somebody and have a positive impact on their state.”
Guadalupe
An FIU accounting graduate who is the first of her siblings to get a bachelor degree.
“In-state tuition is very important for families who may not have the ability to put their children through university. It has given many of us, first generation professionals, the opportunity to move forward to get to where we are. Florida is my home and as a resident, I contribute to the state’s economy and it’s just not right that some leaders are hostile to Dreamers because they just want more power.”
Maria
Senior at FIU getting her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.
“I’m interested in learning how to harness energy from the ocean, so I want to pursue a master’s degree in ocean engineering from Florida Atlantic University. I arrived in Florida when I was three. My parents always emphasized education and made us prioritize it. They worked in agriculture, getting up before the sunrise and coming home after sunset. The best way I can honor them is to get my education and pursue my career. I want to learn about global warming and sustainability. I wanted to be part of the solution, preserving the Earth.”
Pinita
Studying agricultural management at Miami Dade College.
“Florida in-state tuition rates for Dreamer students have allowed me to go back to school. I want to work in agricultural management. I’m also a mother, and my priority is to complete my degree for my family and to give back to my community. Please, don’t take this away from us.”
Mari
Junior at FIU majoring in accounting who is also a mother.
“I’m providing for my family. Education is everything to me. Once you stop learning, it’s like you die. Having to fight for in-state tuition rates all over again is exhausting. We’re not doing anything bad. All we want is to be able to go to college to help contribute to our communities and the economy. Before we had in-state rates for Dreamers, I had to take one class at the time. This is a great opportunity that we’ve been given.”
Mariangela
Holds degree in Mass communications and Public Relations, Advertising with a minor in Marketing.
“Once in-state tuition for Dreamers passed in Florida, I was able to go back to school and I finally got my degree. Florida has always just felt like home to me. We Dreamers love our country, pay our taxes and contribute to our communities. Jesus said we should love and welcome foreigners. In-state tuition has allowed us to better ourselves and contribute to our entire community. We’re purchasing homes, paying taxes, shaping our society, becoming entrepreneurs. We now have the tools and the education to give back to our state.”
Martha
FIU clinical social work graduate who is currently working towards getting licensed.
“If it wasn’t for in-state tuition, I wouldn’t have been able to afford school and wouldn’t be able to help my community now. If we lose that, many students seeking a career in mental health, as I did, will struggle to pay and will eventually give up seeking higher education. We Dreamers are just looking to help others, pay our taxes and grow professionally.”
Mitch
A 2017 Palm Beach State College and a 2020 graduate of Wilkes Honors College at FAU with a B.S. in biological sciences.
“Without in-state tuition, my education would’ve been three times what I paid. Right now I’m a medical assistant weekdays, and evenings I park cars as a valet. I’m saving to go to school to be a physician assistant; I’ve been accepted to two schools already. We may not be U.S. residents but we’re Florida residents who’ve been here for many years going to school with your kids and working alongside you. We’re part of this community and we’re here to do good and contribute to the economy—and be part of Florida.”
Evelyn
Student at Volk State Community College in Lakeland who will finish her biology major at UCF.
“With in-state rates, my tuition is $14,000, but without would be at least $26,000. I want to continue on to my PhD in biology and become a professor. I love how we as living beings are intertwined into one another—human, animal and plant. Instead of going against us Dreamers, why don’t you let us continue to have this opportunity? Our families came here for a better life. If you take that away, you’re taking away what we’ve fought for, walked and run for. In five or ten years, we could be the next doctor or medic saving your life—the next lawyer defending you—the next senator. You’ll see that over time.”
Join The Campaign Today.
Inform your local community or contact your legislator to spread awareness and promote attainable access to education for Dreamers.