DREAM BIG Endowment Campaign

How Will Your Gift Create Opportunity for Students Facing Unimaginable Obstacles?

DREAM BIG ENDOWMENT

We believe that undocumented students deserve the opportunity to pursue and achieve their college dreams without barriers. They should have equitable access to quality education, resources, and training programs that not only support their academic journey but also equip them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in meaningful and successful careers.

The Dream Big Endowment is being established to ensure that undocumented students pursuing degrees at SUNY Old Westbury can secure experiential learning opportunities to prepare them for success in their careers.

Through strategic partnerships and the generosity of a community of donors, the Dream Big Endowment Fund will help highly motivated undocumented students, graduate with degrees and hands-on training to be career-ready.  

SUNY Old Westbury’s Dream Big Endowment campaign is raising vital funds to provide these students with compensation for internships and fellowships that would otherwise be unpaid.  This important component offered through higher education, can put graduates on a path to success!  

Internships provide valuable hands-on experience that allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, enhancing their skills and boosting their resumes. Unpaid internships are challenging for undocumented students because they often cannot afford to work without pay, leading them to prioritize paid jobs over valuable career-building opportunities. This financial strain prevents them from gaining crucial experience and networking, which can hinder their long-term career prospects.

The Dream Big Endowment seeks to provide stipends ranging from $2,500 - $5,000 per semester for students working 10-20 hours/week. 

Your support has the power to eliminate significant obstacles that prevent students from accessing the job-readiness training they need. By supporting the endowment campaign, you help provide the tools, resources, and opportunities that prepare them to become highly skilled professionals equipped to excel in today’s most in-demand and evolving career fields.

Support the Dream Big Endowment Fund with your gift today!  

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3.4+ Million

Number of Dreamers in the United States 

91%

Dreamers are a vital part of the American workforce, filling critical job shortages across the country. 91% of TheDream.US and Golden Door Scholars’ Alumni are working and almost all (90%) are working full-time.

31%

First and second-generation individuals comprise 31% of all students enrolled in higher education, a growing figure that underscores the importance of immigrant-origin students in the classroom and our workforce.

408,000+

There are more than 408,000 undocumented students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, comprising 1.9% of all college students