The American Dream Fund helps undocumented students overcome barriers to higher education

Recipients reflect on how the scholarship fund enabled them to pursue their dreams

The American Dream Fund was established in 2008 to address the devastating impact of Proposition 300 on a group of about 200 high-achieving undocumented students known as the ASU 200. These students were enrolled at Arizona State University when the voter-approved measure went into effect. It barred undocumented Arizona high school graduates from receiving state financial aid and changed their tuition status from “in-state” to “out-of-state” at Arizona’s public universities and community colleges. As a result, the ASU 200 saw their tuition cost skyrocket by 250%, placing higher education nearly out of reach.

Helios Education Foundation recognized the urgency of the situation and committed to a $2 million grant to the American Dream Fund, which the Arizona College Scholarship Fund created and managed in partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa and a broad community coalition. The goal was to provide scholarships for the ASU 200 students, the majority of whom had lived in Arizona for more than a decade and graduated from local high schools. These students were among Arizona’s brightest, with 80% graduating from high school with at least a 3.25 GPA and 11% achieving a 4.0 GPA or higher. They worked tirelessly to secure their places at ASU, only to face financial barriers beyond their control.

Supporters of the American Dream Fund believed that the DREAM Act, once passed by Congress, would provide a long-term solution for the ASU 200. The federal legislation sought to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.

In the meantime, the American Dream Fund was established to provide critical short-term financial support to help these students continue their education.

Helios’ support for the American Dream Fund was intended to spark further community investment. The Foundation believed that its one-time grant could encourage other foundations, family trusts, corporate donors, and individuals to contribute, generating additional funding to help the ASU 200 complete their college degrees. Helios aimed to ensure the initiative received the broad backing it deserved, and that’s exactly what happened. An additional $3 million was raised, providing the financial support needed for these students to finish their degree programs at ASU.

The American Dream Fund had a profound impact, providing scholarships to students whose immigration status would have otherwise kept them from reaching their academic potential. The vast majority of the ASU 200 students have graduated and built successful careers as teachers, college professors, attorneys, engineers, journalists and authors, among other professions. Helios’ support not only relieved financial burdens but also sent a strong message that these students’ education and future were worth investing in.

As Helios celebrates 20 years of transforming lives through education, the success of the American Dream Fund stands as a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and the importance of ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Through investments like this, Helios continues to champion the educational aspirations of Arizona’s youth, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.