At Diablo Valley College, we recognize the dignity and value of the individual and continuously strive to provide opportunities for all those who seek an education.
DVC offers extensive information, resources and support for undocumented students. These resources are maintained by the DVC DREAMers Alliance, a network of faculty, staff, students, and administrators committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming educational environment for undocumented students.
Undocumented students may apply for financial aid by completing the California Dream Act Application. If you need assistance or have questions, contact Harry Do, Financial Aid Specialist, at hdo@dvc.edu.
DREAMer Information and Resources
Although I faced many barriers as an undocumented college student, I feel fortunate to have found genuine support and guidance at Diablo Valley College. I’m incredibly thankful to all the professors, counselors, and classmates who welcomed me warmly and encouraged me to pursue my educational goals. Now that I’m transferring to a 4-year university, I feel confident in my ability to succeed academically while helping to lead efforts in making education a possibility for all students, including DREAMers.
Cristobal Castañeda DREAMer Alumni
As a first-generation college student and an undocumented immigrant, it was always a dream of mine to pursue higher education. When coming to the United States I knew being here was a privilege and an opportunity, one I did not have in my home country of El Salvador. After I graduated high school I knew that my road to success had to include higher education but because of financial struggles, my options became limited. Finally, I took the decision to come to DVC, and I can honestly say it was the best decision I made. Here at DVC I found a community of other Latinos with goals similar to mine.
Lilian Ventura Current DREAMer
I joined the DVC DREAMers Alliance and I began to take up space in rooms where I knew I could make a difference. The DREAMers Alliance provided a sense of allyship. I remember the first day I showed up to those meetings. I was usually the only student there. Frightening at first but I began to use my voice giving them an inside look of what being undocumented was really about. I also got to network with faculty that knew where I came from like and who opened doors such as the DREAM SF Fellowship.
Hernan Soto DREAMer Alumni
Being low-income I have not had the educational opportunities that middle-class families have. All my life I attended schools with students predominantly African-American or Hispanic. We were not given the proper resources to succeed in this educational system. So in order for me to continue on my journey, I had to work twice as hard. I managed to learn and apply to scholarships and financial aid even though I am undocumented. The professors, mentors, and tutors at DVC have prepared me academically and with great perseverance and determination. I’m proud to say that I am now attending the University of California, Berkeley, and majoring in sociology.
Maria Bojorquez DREAMer Alumni
One of the worries I had when I started college was being able to afford it. Given that I am undocumented, I do not qualify for FAFSA. During my first semester of college I was charged as an out-of-state student, I was afraid that I would not be able to take classes due to financial inability. Luckily, California is one of the states that allow in-state tuition to dreamers known as AB540 and I was also qualified for the Dream Act, and EOPs which had been a tremendous help for me.
Hazel Pinon Current DREAMer