The White House "Beating the Odds" Summit 2016

On July 19 2016, I had the opportunity to attend Michelle Obama's “Beating the Odds” Summit at the White House in Washington D.C. At the event there was a panel where Michelle Obama, Jidenna (Performing Artist), John B. King, Jr. (U.S Secretary of Education), and Rachel Scott (University of Washington Student) shared their experiences about attending college and the importance of getting your degree.

The day began with a lot of security checks, while trying to get into the White House. We eventually made it through and mingled with other students from across the country, over a light breakfast, who were attending the event as well.  After a few minutes we were transferred to another room where a group of “Beating the Odds” students, who are now in college, conversed with us. They spoke to us about the struggles they encountered, such as being a minority, growing up in a violent environment or being an immigrant, and yet they continued to pursue their education. These college students inspired and encouraged me even more to make sure I focus on my education and get my college degree. Their stories made me realize that anything is possible regardless of your situation. I really appreciated that they shared such personal information, as it helped motivate young individuals like myself.

As the day went on, the moment I had been waiting for finally occurred: Michelle Obama walked out to talk to us along with Jidenna, John B. King, Jr., and Rachel Scott. Even though it was my first time meeting these people, I genuinely felt a real connection to them because of how honest and truthful they were. I especially enjoyed listening to Michelle Obama. When she spoke I didn't see her as the first lady, but as a normal human being that experienced the same struggles we went through and worked hard to get to where she is now. She told us about the challenges we are going to face in college, such as being overwhelmed with work or not being able to go that party because you have to stay in and study, but she also told us that when we overcome those challenges there’s this overpowering feeling of joy that makes those struggling times worth it. She also told us to make sure we stay involved and to make a difference in this world. I will forever hold on to those words and make sure I fulfill them.

Even though I was always motivated to go to college and get a degree, attending this event made me 100% more positive that I'm moving towards the right direction and I am beating the odds!

By: Chelsea Bueno, Ravenswood II Dreamer

Important Information on Lowering Student Loan Payment.

Please see below for important information on helping Dreamers lower their student loan payments:

As of October 2015, a new repayment plan called REPAYE has been added to the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan options, and it's the best of all of the options offered under IDR.  
Dreamers will need to fill out this form: https://www.navient.com/assets/loan-customers/documents-and-forms/Income-Driven-Repayment-Plan-Request.pdf, and under Section 2, Question 2, check off the box that says REPAYE.  
Section 2, Question 1 recommends that the student loan holder calculate and choose the lowest plan, but Dreamers should request estimates under each plan by calling their loan holder to figure out which works best for them.  This may make a difference for Dreamers with children.

Dreamers can fill out the form online.  To do so, they can link to their tax information seamlessly by allowing the portal to access their tax statements from the IRS, and then submitting the form.  This is a  2 minute process!  

By the next day, your student loan holder will confirm that this request was being processed.  A couple of days later you'll received my newer, lower repayment amount, that which is locked in for the year and must be recertified annually.

If Dreamers are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), they will need to submit a separate form to make sure their lowered payments count towards forgiveness in a total of 120 payments that do not need to be consecutive.
So, one form recalculates the amount you will pay, while the other form makes sure your recalculated (and hopefully, lower) payments count towards loan forgiveness after 120 payments.

The PSLF has to be filled out by the Dreamer and their employer.  You can find out more about PSLF here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/public-service-loan-forgiveness.pdf

This is the actual PSLF form: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/public-service-employment-certification-form.pdf

Once both forms are submitted, you're locked in for the year and need to recertify annually.

Please also refer to this article about loan forgiveness available to counseling and admission professionals: http://www.nacacnet.org/learning/communities/Admitted/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=847

Lastly, there is a PSLF payment tracker, that no matter your student loan holder (which changes quite often), qualifying PSLF payments are tracked. This is super useful and can be requested from your loan holder, even if your current loan holder is different from your loan holder, like five years ago, for example.

2016 Dreamer Panel- New York City

On Friday, July 15, The 2016 Dreamer Conference held a College Dreamer Panel at Teachers College, Columbia College. I had a chance to sit in and listen to what our Dreamer Scholar’s (college students) advice was about entering college. Other dreamers from different states also sat in on the panel and were able to ask many different question that would help them prepare for college. The panel of students included Cristian Gonzalez, Jonathan Ortiz, Ricardo Mejia, Cindy Lopez, Fabian Rodriquez, Zekiiyah Joyner, and Rabia Koureissi; all a mix of dreamer’s from our DeHostos-Wise and Ravenswood II program. We also had a chance to hear a few words of advice from an Alumni Dreamer from the first Ravenswood program, Sandra Guerra. Sandra Guerra was the first in her family to go to college, complete a bachelor's degree, and get her masters in social work. She is a true inspiration and role model to us younger dreamers. Sandra also wishes to strengthen and grow the “I Have a Dream” Alumni network and hopes that younger dreamers continue to have opportunities and programs that leads them to a better future.

After listening to Sandra, all students introduced themselves by stating their names, college, and their major. Many questions were asked, such as “how did you overcome challenges?”, “how do you know what major to choose?” and even “how are college parties?”. Each student’s answers were different and unique, which was great because it taught us that there is not one specific way to attack college. We also got to hear stories about when our Dreamer Scholars were at their lowest point and how they managed to overcome the obstacles they faced and finish their first year strong. Dreamer Scholar, Rabia Koureisisi, shared an interesting way she overcame an obstacle she faced in college. When Rabia first attended Villanova University she felt like she didn't fit in because the majority of students were caucasian. On top of feeling like she didn’t fit in, she also experienced racism on campus. Rabia had many moments where she wanted to give up and go home because she was at her lowest point, but instead of giving in to the negativity, she turned her experience into a positive movement and created a club called “Different-Nova”. This club is empowering students of different cultural backgrounds to come together and raise awareness about diversity.

Listening to them share their thoughts and stories was very inspirational; hopefully it encouraged our younger dreamers to keep working hard so they can get to where they want to be in the future!

By: Chelsea Bueno, Ravenswood II Dreamer

In April, the East Harlem Program Completed it's Fourth Annual Celebration of Read Across America!

And to think they saw it on Mulberry Street….

                For the past four weeks Dreamers in East Harlem have been participating in a series of fun activities honoring Literacy and the life of Dr. Seuss.  This has been the East Harlem Program’s fourth annual celebration of Read Across America, characterized by projects, special events and a whole lot of reading!

                Each year the 60 Dreamers decide on a goal to work towards together and this year the goal was ambitiously set at 1440 points, and Dreamers were given 30 days to reach the summit.  Dreamers could earn points by answering questions about Reading Comprehension and Character Development in a packet or for the first time ever, they could contribute their own projects in the form of games, songs, artwork or stories related to what they were reading about.  So far 80% of the points earned have come from Dreamers’ own creative work!

                In one particularly moving project, fifth grade Dreamers wrote “Who Am I” poems expressing with elegant clarity how they see themselves in the world.  One Dreamer writes, “…I’m scared of dying. I dream to live happily in the future. Sometimes I’m determined of things…”  A boy writes, “…Who loves ice cream, who hates sensitive people, who wants to go to Mexico, who wishes to see his grandparents...”  Finally, another girl writes, “…Who dreams of being famous, who is determined to go to college, who values being healthy, who is proud of my family’s success…”

                In addition to reading responses and projects Dreamers have participated in three special events that have become East Harlem traditions.  Early in March we held our Snuggle Read.  Dreamers brought their own stuffed animals, special pillows and blankets from home and we spilled out into the second floor hallway of PS7 to read together with friends and teachers.  The following week we held our second, wildly popular, Scavenger Hunt.  Dreamers were divided randomly into five groups, each group given a series of riddles.  Solving the riddle gave the location of a task, and in order to complete the Scavenger Hunt teams had to complete all six Dr. Seuss-related tasks.  One favorite station this year involved making green smoothies with the Edible Schoolyard Teachers—not exactly green eggs and ham, but close enough!  Finally, the last week in March Dreamers brought flashlights and staff distributed glow sticks for the Flash Light Read.  Turning off all the lights in the gym and reading by flashlight is a favorite Read Across America event and this year was no different.

                The Dreamers are well on their way to reaching the goal, at current count only 100 points shy.  Looks like their own creativity and hard work will pay off towards a delicious celebration in the very near future!