The hope of several undocumented De Anza College students is to attend school with little financial burden.  
Around 30 faces filled room L-26 at De Anza to hear about the Dream Act, a law that promises positive opportunities.
The workshop, sponsored by De Anza’s Extended Opportunities Programs and Services, financial aid, and the undocumented student clubs Higher Education for AB 540 Students and Integral Movement for AB 540 Student Success, introduced and explained the California Dream Act.  
The California Dream Act was passed in 2011 and is the first law to allow undocumented students in California to apply for and receive financial aid if certain requirements are met.
“I’ll be able to afford college,” said Jose Armenta, 23, a sociology major who is an undocumented student at De Anza.
Maily Ramos, 19, another undocumented student, and an anthropology major said the Dream Act brought her financial relief.
“It was a chance for [me] as an undocumented student to actually get the opportunity to go to college without thinking about how I’m going to pay for it.”
Ramos works two jobs, at a pearl tea restaurant and a laundromat to afford community college.
At the Dream Act 101 workshop, representatives from De Anza’s Financial Aid Center and EOPS told students the benefits the programs can bring to them if they applied for the California Dream Act.
Once the application is accepted, students can apply for financial assistance like the Board of Government fee waiver, EOPS and other scholarships and grants.
Students at the workshop walked away with hopes of receiving financial support from the Dream Act on their journey of pursuing a higher education.
Angelica Esquivel, 21, a public health major noticed how undocumented students like her are now aware of these opportunities and could use them to achieve their goals.
“It’s things that are now available to use that we’ve been fighting for this whole time, and for it to now be accessible to us, it’s amazing.”
Other students walked away with the chance to freely live without fear.
“I’m no longer paranoid,” said Armenta. “I have this boost of confidence. I can do more without fear and continue doing my community work without the fear of being deported.”