Berkeley Announces $1 Million Scholarship Fund For Undocumented Students

By ALBERT SABATÉ

Dec 11, 2012

PHOTO: Berkeley's Sather Gate. UC Berkeley unveiled a $1 million scholarship fund -- the largest of its kind -- for undocumented students.

UC Berkeley unveiled a $1 million scholarship fund -- the largest of its kind -- for undocumented students. (wuzanru/flickr)

About 200 undocumented students at University of California Berkeley will be helped by a scholarship fund announced today. The new "Dreamers Fund" was created with a $1 million donation from the Evelyn and Walter Junior Foundation. The fund is the biggest of its kind at any university in the U.S.

wuzanru/flickr

UC Berkeley unveiled a $1 million scholarship... View Full Size

wuzanru/flickr

UC Berkeley unveiled a $1 million scholarship fund -- the largest of its kind -- for undocumented students.

See Also: Debunking the Lazy Latino Myth

Though undocumented students qualify for some financial resources from the state, they are not eligible for federal Pell grants, federally backed loans or work-study positions.

"Against great odds, our 'Dreamers' have persevered to be here at Berkeley — adding so much to this campus," said university Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau. "Our challenge is to continue ensuring that all our students at Berkeley, regardless of background, have access to their dreams, and that we do not waste the potential of a single talented person."

An additional gift of $300,000 by Elise Haas will support the creation of a new resource center for undocumented students.

More from ABC News