Apply for the Dream Fund

Basic Information

The Dream Fund provides modest grants to University of Minnesota students on any system campus enrolled in a degree-seeking program and who:

  • Have or had status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program,
  • Have Temporary Protected Status,
  • Are undocumented, or
  • Face a gap in their immigration status that affects their work authorization, or due to the limitations of their immigration status is facing economic hardship.

The Dream Fund is not available to international students. 

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Funds are subject to availability, and they can be used for items such as educational expenses, unexpected medical or dental bills, housing needs, food insecurity, or other extenuating circumstances, like DACA renewal fees. Generally, students can receive emergency grants once per academic year and in amounts up to $500. The review committee may, however, elect to give a student more than $500 and/or a second grant during a following semester when funds are available and a student can demonstrate need.

Undocumented students may be eligible to apply for a Minnesota State Grant and other state financial aid programs. Please see the MN Dream Act with the MN Office of Higher Education, and please review the resources available for your campus.

A Note About Your Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. The information you provide on your application will only be used by the University of Minnesota to administer and evaluate applications for The Dream Fund. If concerns about privacy are preventing you from applying, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss.

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Eligibility Requirements

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee that you will receive a grant from The Dream Fund.

  • You must be able to document financial need.
  • You must be admitted and enrolled full-time or part-time in a degree program at a University of Minnesota system campus.
  • You must be undocumented, have or had status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or have Temporary Protected Status. Consideration will be given in some cases to those who face a gap in immigration status that affects their work authorization, or those who are facing economic hardship due to the limitations of their immigration status.
  • You may be an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student.
  • You can receive one grant per academic year. We will consider a second application during a later semester if you can demonstrate need and funds are available.

The Dream Fund is not available to international students. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact the Immigration Response Team at [email protected].

Please note, if you have an outstanding bill due to the university and receive an award through this fund, the funds will be used toward the amount due the university.

Required Documents

You must submit with your application:

  • A Budget Worksheet form (pdf) including information about the semester you are requesting funding and the two previous semesters. The purpose of this form is to document financial need, so please fill this out as completely as possible. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
  • Documentation of the emergency, including receipts of payment.
  • Any other documents that support your financial need, including medical bills or financial documents. You can block out personal information like a social security number or account numbers.
  • Complete the online application and upload the required documentation and worksheet. 

Application Support

You can contact us at [email protected] to ask questions.

These organizations are also available if you would like to talk to someone before you apply:

The Immigration Response Team will work closely with these units to answer questions and address any concerns.

Deadline and How to Apply

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are applying:

  • You may only apply during a semester in which you are enrolled in a degree seeking program.
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the semester, but awards are granted subject to fund availability. The Dream Fund is privately funded. Individual contributions are what sustain the fund.
  • For spring and fall semesters, try to submit your application 2 weeks before the end of the semester to allow time for review and processing of grant awards.
  • Applications for future semesters are not accepted.

When you have the required documentation, start the application