Pre-Health Dreamers' Response to Supreme Court DACA Decision Dear PHD family, We did it!! We had a huge win this morning when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the DACA program. We are elated that many members from the PHDreamers’ community and beyond, were able to take a sigh of relief and celebrate this moment. The DACA program supports nearly 700,000 individuals nationally and impacts even more families and communities across the country. This moment can bring mixed emotions. Many members in the PHD community are not eligible for DACA or have family members and loved ones who were left behind by this immigration policy. We also acknowledge that DACA was never a permanent solution and it does not provide a pathway to citizenship. We firmly believe in the need for a comprehensive immigration reform that benefits all undocumented immigrants in this country. Today’s victory is a battle won from a much larger war that still needs to be fought. We hope to help answer some questions on what today’s decision means. According to the Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC) , today’s decision means that the court sided with DACA recipients in acknowledging that the way the program was rescinded was unlawful. Even though the program has been reinstated, it is important to note that the administration can still try to end the program. What the decision means for the time being is that the program will continue with the following benefits: Current DACA recipients can continue to submit renewal applications. Individuals who meet eligibility for DACA will be able to submit new applications. All eligible individuals should consult with a legal representative prior to submitting a DACA application for the first time. Advanced Parole may open in the future, but it is unclear what this will look like given the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. For those seeking financial assistance for DACA, please visit this website by RAICES! It is important that everyone in the community take the time to process their emotions regardless of what they may be. However, PHD recognizes that we must continue to advocate for more progressive institutional policies for the undocumented community. We strongly believe that no piece of paper or status defines who you are. We will continue to shape our own futures regardless of what may come and not let restrictive and discriminatory policies hold us down. PHD wants to thank all the undocumented individuals that advocated for DACA to stay and consistently consistently advocates for the rights of all immigrants. For years, many individuals have tirelessly shared their stories to politicians and to the media including hundreds of individuals in the PHD community. Every single individual who was also so brave to share their story to their peers, teachers, counselors, admission officers and others, we thank you as well. Thank you to all who marched and protested in support of all undocumented immigrants. Your courageous work as undocumented young people and adults has been a powerful one and never forget that this victory came with your work. WE earned it. We would also like to thank the organizations and institutions that filed against the administration when DACA was rescinded in 2017. Pre-Health Dreamers joined the Association of American Medical Colleges and 31 other organizations in an amicus brief to the Supreme Court filed in September 2019 where we detailed why the DACA program was vital to health care professionals. We included results from our 2019 Breaking More Barriers report (shout out to all who completed the survey!). Our very own co-founder New Latthivongskorn was a plaintiff in the first lawsuit filed against the Trump Administration for rescinding DACA. And Denisse Rojas, also co-founder of PHD, was the sole witness to the DACA program in the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing a month after the program was rescinded. Our PHD community was instrumental in this fight. We’d like to share other recent media featuring our PHD community! Including Dr. Veronica Velasquez (Doctor of Physical Therapy), Dr. Dalia Larios, MD , Dr. Cesar Andrade, Drs Andino and Barnal , and Krissia Rivera (medical student at Brown). Today’s news will continue to benefit an estimated 699,350 active DACA recipients residing in the United States. However, advocacy must continue for all undocumented and TPS individuals. Families deserve to stay together. In this fight with you - today and always. Yours truly, Yadira Ortiz, Executive Director Pre-Health Dreamers || Denisse Rojas Marquez, Co-founder, Pre-Health Dreamers || Dr. New Latthivongskorn, Co-founder, Pre-Health Dreamers ||

Institutional Guidance Academic barriers, such as institutions refusing to admit students based on their immigration status, can present unnecessary stress and challenges to rising students. These guides provide information on how to apply for programs that consider undocumented applicants with temporary benefits, DACA, or other immigration statuses. Medicine Pharmacy Undergraduate Students Licensure Dentistry Nursing Post-Bac

2026 Pre-Health Dreamers' Annual Conference Prices Location $15 Student $50 Educators / Staff Date August 27, 2026 (9:00 am - 3:00 pm/pst) Share University of California, Irvine This year, PHD’s annual conference will be held in-person. The conference will focus on raising awareness about access to health-related programs and careers for immigrant communities, especially individuals without status. The conference will introduce participants to advocacy and engage them in conversations about equitable policies that support our communities. PHD expects more than 200 community members to attend. PHD will list you as sponsors during our annual conference. Please click on the sponsor section below to learn more. RSVP Thank you to our conference sponsors. Conference Speakers' Spotlight BECOME A SPONSOR

The Populations We Serve

Financial Resources National Financial Aid Resources Smart Money Moves, Navigating Financial Aid as an Undergraduate Student Securing financial aid for undocumented students during their undergraduate journey can be a challenging task. This document provides an overview for students on how their GPA can impact their financial aid and raises awareness about institutional aid and support. Learn More Financial Strategies Guide to Undocumented Students Provides actionable steps to navigate financial aid, including identifying on-campus resources, applying for scholarships, institutional loans, and funding opportunities. It also highlights strategies for negotiating financial aid, private loan options, and repayment programs tailored for undocumented students pursuing higher education. Learn More Financial Strategies: 101 for Professional Programs Provides actionable steps to identify funding opportunities, collaborate with institutions for financial aid access, and establish partnerships with private funders and credit unions. It also includes strategies for institutional fundraising, expanding aid, and navigating tuition residency and private loan options tailored to the unique needs of undocumented students. Learn More Scholarships and Internships These lists are provided as reference guides and may include outdated information. The scholarship list was compiled in 2024, while the internship list includes opportunities from 2014–2016. Please verify information before applying. If you know of an opportunity that should be added or updated, please let us know so we can continue improving these resources for our community. 2024 Scholarship List Scholarships open for students regardless of immigration status. Includes opportunities for high school seniors, undergraduate (community college and 4-year university) and students in graduate/professional programs. 2014-2016 Internship List Internships open for students regardless of immigration status. Includes opportunities for high school seniors, undergraduate (community college and 4-year university) and students in graduate/professional programs. Loan Resources Social Finance, Funding U, and Launch Servicing Dreamers Graduate Loan Program As you may be aware, Dreamers are currently ineligible for Federal loan programs due to their immigration status, and many Dreamers are discouraged from attending graduate schools due to the lack of sustainable financing options available. The loan program is being managed by a national non-profit organization, Social Finance , in partnership with Funding U , as the loan originator, and Launch Servicing , as the loan servicer. This private loan program offers Dreamers loans at a similar annual percentage rate to that of the federal Grad Plus loan program without any cosigner or minimum credit score required.* Self Help Federal Credit Union Self- Help Financial Loan Self-Help Federal Credit Union is pleased to offer financing for medical students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status attending certain qualifying universities. Students will be approved for a line of credit to cover the total cost of attendance for medical school with rates and fees based on the Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan. NILC Provides current state laws and policies on access to higher education for immigrants. State Laws & Polices on Access to Higher Education for Immigrants State Financial Aid Resources Briefly introduce yourself and share something interesting with website visitors. Double click to edit the text. California Dreame Act New York State Dream Act New York State Dream Act Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application Washington Application for Financial Aid Colorado College Opportunity Fund

This bootcamp offered in the spring allows one to open their own business to work in the healthcare career of their choosing. LaunchPad: Educator's Edition (EDULaunchPad) Application Deadline Feb 5th, 2025 Dates Location Virtual Price Feb 11- March 18 2025 $750 LaunchPad: Educators Edition is a 6-week boot camp that provides professional development by guiding educators, career counselors, pre-health advisors, dream center coordinators, and others in supporting their students through their journey as entrepreneurs in health professions. This boot camp will enhance advisors' knowledge as they serve students pursuing health careers regardless of their students' immigration status, especially if the student does not have employment authorization. This boot camp will elevate educators' knowledge when serving undocumented students who may not know how to use their professional health-related degree and license, especially if they do not have employment authorization or a social security number. Returning Educator Login What is LaunchPad for educators? EDULaunchPad provides educators with information, guidance resources, and skillsets that can develop or strengthen their advising skills when working with undocumented students. This boot camp will be even more supportive if you are an advisor to an undocumented student seeking a health-related professional program, such as nursing, medicine, dentistry, research, and more. This boot camp will elevate educators' knowledge when serving undocumented students who do not know how to use their professional health-related degree and license, especially if they do not have employment authorization or a social security number. Do I need to have any prior experience? The EDULaunch Pad bootcamp is designed for educators at all levels, including those new to advising undocumented students. The program provides foundational knowledge and resources to help you effectively support students in navigating entrepreneurship and building their own businesses, even as they work toward their degrees. How is this course offered? The EDULaunch Pad bootcamp is an online 6-week bootcamp that is hosted by our Pre-Health Dreamers team. If you would like to sign up, please follow the link above for more information as to how to register. For any questions, please contact flavia@phdreamers.org . When are the classes offered? See our schedule below for the upcoming Spring Term. Feb 11: Live Q&A Panel Feb 18: Transferable Skills & First Steps to Business Feb 25: Building Your Student's Roadmap To Success Mar 4: The LLC Paper Mill Mar 11: Financial Responsibilities: Taxes and Invoice Contracts Mar 18: Insurance, SEED Grants & Closing Ceremony IMAGINE Brainstorm with students creative ways to launch their health centered business LEAD Lead your students on the steps they will need to start their business in healthcare STRATEGIZE Guide your students on how to market their business and find clients LAUNCH Launch your students into a successful start in healthcare.

What state do you live in? Find all forms needed to start your LLC and other resourceful licensing tools using the interactive map to the right.

Thank you to our sponsors. BECOME A SPONSOR Click Here Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD) is excited to announce that we are seeking sponsorship for our 3-Day Student Retreat and Annual Conference taking place in August 2026 in Irvine, CA.

Pre-Health Dreamers Resources Undocumented students may be discouraged from pursuing their educational and professional ambitions if they face obstacles when pursuing health-related degrees. These tools can help you research as you begin the admissions process and seek assistance at your campus and professional program. For more resources, join our community and become active participants. Guides & Resources Find resources to support your research, admissions process, and campus journey as you pursue a health-related program. Audience: Students & Educators Accessing Higher Education Read More Explore scholarships, grants, and funding opportunities available to undocumented students. Audience: Students & Educators Financial Aid & Funding Read More Find health care resources, Medi-Cal information, and free clinic options for undocumented and immigrant communities. Audience: Students & Educators Health Care Access Read More Explore ways to partner with PHD and invest in opportunities for undocumented students and communities Audience: Current & Prospective Donors, Sponsors, Funders and Partners Sponsors and Funders Read More

In 2025, PHD's Pathway Program served over 600 students , through individualized support, cohort style programming and trainings. Overview of our Pre-Health Dreamers student participants, Approximately 90% of participants are First-Generation: 16 % 5 % Over 60% identify as Latino Over 16% identify as Asian Over 75% identify as Female Over 5% identify as Black In 2024-2025, PHD: PHD is a national program. However, 50% of participants reside in California, including: Los Angeles San Bernardino Bay Area Central California Join and supported 4 CA and Nationwide Taskforces that elevate access and equity for undocumented individuals in health-related professional programs and careers. Reached 600 students and 1000 educators its programming. Met with 200 students through 1-on-1 advising; Undocu Launch Pad PHD piloted UndocuLaunch Pad in 2024. Entrepreneurship can be an option for scholars and professionals in the health workforce, as their immigration status will prevent them from applying for traditional employment. Dentists, nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, and other health professionals can serve their communities and enjoy financial independence with their own businesses or contracts. Learn More A low number (5-10%) of undocumented students matriculate into professional programs from 4-year institutions. Inequitable educational and health access of specialized support for this population PHDreamers Tackles Inequalities 2 0 2 5 Annual Report Newsletter

5th Annual Pre-Health Dreamers Conference Pre-Health Dreamers hosted its 5th Annual In-Person Conference at the University of California, Irvine, on August 27, 2026. The conference brought together more than 200 community members to raise awareness about access to health-related education and careers for immigrant communities, particularly individuals without immigration status. Through advocacy-focused sessions and conversations, participants explored equitable policies and practices that support undocumented and immigrant communities in pursuing careers in health care. Thank You to Our 2026 Conference Sponsors! We are grateful to our 2026 conference sponsors for investing in our community and helping create space for connection, learning, advocacy, and collective action. Thank You to Our 2026 Conference Speakers!

Elevate future health professionals. Tax-deductible donations to Pre-Health Dreamers can be made through our fiscal sponsor, Community Initiatives, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Community Initiatives' Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 94-3255070. Donate