Hi guys. I’m a 21 year old who has always dreamed of going to college since I was a kid. I was raised in Brazil by my dad (a farmer)who made many sacrifices to even put food on the table due to extreme poverty, but even in these conditions, I never stopped looking over the fence, dreaming that one day I could actually become someone who makes a contribution to society . I stayed there until 2009 ,when I turned 14, that’s when my dad decided to migrate to the U.S. to give me the life he never had. I absolutely love it here, the food, the people, and my friends. High school was amazing, made so many friends, got to know a lot of people, and earned good grades, in fact I had a 3.87 weighted GPA, taking honors algebra II and honors chemistry… Up until junior year…
Unfortunately, I’m not just an ordinary immigrant, but someone who broke the laws of immigration when I overstayed longer than my 6 month period on my tourist visa. No one ever told me that I wasn’t able to attend college due to insufficient funds up until that point. It was as if all my hopes, dreams and accomplishments had been flushed down the toilet. That’s when my grades declined, suddenly I was getting C’s on honors pre-calc and Honors physics, I’d fall asleep during class and be late for school almost everyday. My guidance counselor took notice of that and tried getting me back on track and she succeeded a little. During my senior year I was taking AP Calc AB, AP Physics AB, and ended up getting a 4 on Calc and a 3 in physics. By the time a graduated I still had a 3.48. I watched all of my friends go to college, every time they’re back I can’t help but ask them questions about" what it’s like living in a dorm", or "what’s Boston university like ?"and their stories entertain me more than anything, I couldn’t be prouder of them. They always look so sad to see me living in these circumstances, having to wipe off tables for 6 dollars an hour just to pay off rent and one single class a semester at the local community . At the rate I’m in I will never finish college. If one class costs me 1400 at a community college, just imagine at a large university. I’m seriously considering going back to Brazil to work as a farmer… But instead I’m here begging you guys. Please. Is there a way that I could finish my education or pay less for school? Thank you all so much.
From what state did you graduate from high school?
Minimum wage is $7.25, so the 6 dollars per hour part of your story is wrong.
Which community college is this where one class costs 1400 dollars? (more than some instate public 4-year universities).
@mom2collegekids I graduated from a Massachusetts high school. And since I came here after 2007, I’m not eligible for DACA either.
@Madison85 Since I don’t have a SSN and am strongly against using a fake one, I currently work under the table for a restaurant which is currently paying me that exact amount. And I’m going to North shore CC where I’m considered an international student. I pay around 3x the instate tuition.
Thank you for replying.
@dreamer103 I wish you had finished high school on track. Mass is good about helping illegal aliens with college giving them an instate rate. What are your SAT scores?
Can you get a federal work permit? http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/us/illegal-immigrants-to-pay-in-state-tuition-at-mass-state-colleges.html?_r=0
Can you apply for citizenship?
@gearmom Unfortunately Massachusetts only gives instate tuition to Permanent residents, citizens and DACA recipients. Since I came to America after 2009 I’m not eligible for either. As for my SAT, I never took them. I did take my PSAT where I earned a 72 in math 55 in reading and 53 writing (writing and reading are terribly low, but at the time my English wasn’t so good since I was in the US for less than 2 years). I should’ve mentioned this earlier, but I’m trying to pursue a Computer Science degree.
Thank you for replying guys, it means a lot.
@jym626 Sorry , I didn’t see your comment until I refreshed the page. An immigration bill which would give a pathway to citizenship to undocumented aliens currently residing in the US was approved in the senate in 2012 but unfortunately John Boehner speaker of the House of Representatives refused to bring it for a vote. So there’s currently no pathway to citizenship.
@dreamer103 Can you explain this to me? Since 2008, you could claim residency if you had a federal work permit and therefore get instate tuition. Can you get a work permit?
Couldn’t you have taken the SAT and applied as an international student if you could not get a federal work permit to places that give high merit aid? After you get a degree, you can’t work here without a SSN#.
@gearmom On June 2012 Obama introduced DACA(Dream Deferred Act) which would grant young immigrants legal status and the ability to apply for a SSN, get a work permit and even receive instate tuition for those who met the following criteria ; Came to the US before their 16th birthday (I came in when I was 14), have received or are working towards their HS diploma( I was still in HS) and have continuously resided in the US for 5 years or more as of June 2012( On June 2012 I was only here for 3 years, therefore I didn’t meet the requirements). Failing to meet the requirements I’m unable to apply for a work permit. Thank you for replying.
@gearmom I know. But I have always tried to be hopeful. I feel as if something is going to happen. Something that will give young immigrants in my situation a chance to attend college. But that hope is fading away now. It’s been 2 years since graduation , 4 college classes since… I think it’s time that I accept the truth and return to Brazil.
@dreamer103 I am clearly not smart enough for this but don’t you meet the five year requirement now and wasn’t this act expanded in Nov 2014?
@gearmom I really appreciate your help ! And it was indeed expanded in November of last year. And the USCIS was supposed to begin accepting new applications on February 18th. But unfortunately on February 16th(two days before the application) a Texas judge named Andrew Hanen intervened the executive order, saying that President Obamas act was unconstitutional.
Although I am sorry for your current situation, the priority is to educate American citizens and legal aliens. Why would we try to educate those staying illegally when we can’t even guarantee education for law abiding, tax paying citizens and residents?
If it is possible, I strongly advise you to return to your home country of Brazil and pursue higher education. If you succeed, your chance of pursuing your Masters of Doctorate becomes higher here in the States.
Best of luck with your endeavors 