A partnership between Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and DREAM Iowa will have each providing $500 to offer up to 10, $1,000 DREAM Iowa scholarships throughout the year in support of immigrant students pursuing higher education. This spring semester will open up five scholarship opportunities. The principal requirements are that the student be a high school senior or enrolled in college, demonstrate the spirit to overcome adversity and commitment to our immigrant communities. “DREAM Iowa is thrilled about this partnership we have forged with DMACC,” says Vice President, Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez. “All of the students selected truly embody the immigrant spirit, we hope that by eliminating barriers to funds for these students, they are better able to focus on their education and their college experience.” Bhati Eleson of Des Moines is a recent scholarship winner and is enrolled in DMACC’s nursing program. She was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania after her parents fled the civil war in the Congo, and was faced with watching her parents fight for the basics of life for their children—adequate food, safe drinking water, shelter and medical care. After 16 years, the family made their way to the United States and Eleson was drawn to a career as a pediatric nurse to help others in the future. She says the scholarship is making a huge difference in her life, allowing her to reduce her work load and focus more on her studies. Applications are due by May 1 and must include an essay, detailing how the student has overcome adversity and how they provide support to the immigrant community. More information and applications are available through the contact points included below.
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For more information or to apply for a DREAM Iowa scholarship:
Online: dreamiowa.us/resources
Contact Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez: contactdreamiowa@gmail.com
Contact Ahmed Agyeman: akagyeman@dmacc.edu
