Applicants must meet all of the following criteria as of the application deadline date:

• Be at least 17 years of age. Please note high school seniors are not eligible.
• Be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA).
• Current college undergraduates who have completed at least one year of full-time undergraduate study who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the United States for the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
• Be studying to obtain their first Associate’s or first Bachelor’s degree.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
• Demonstrate financial need.

• 1st Year
• 2nd Year
• 3rd Year
• 4th Year

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• Undocumented

The Dream Award is Scholarship America’s renewable scholarship program for financially needy students who have overcome barriers and have successfully started their college education. Awards were made to students selected from across the nation who are entering their second year or higher of education beyond high school; the scholarships are both renewable and increase in amount each year. Scholarship America provides Dream Awards ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 based on the individual student’s financial need. Each student’s award will increase by $1,000 each year to help them successfully finish school and earn their degrees.

Dream Award scholarships include general scholarships, STEM-specific scholarships (for study in science, technology, engineering and math-related majors), the World Journal Dream Award Scholarship for Chinese American students and the Midwest Scholars Dream Award for students in eligible states. Financial need will always be considered in determining award amounts.

Apply online via the program website.

If you have questions regarding the eligibility criteria or application process for the program, please contact the program by email at dreamaward@scholarshipamerica.org or by phone at 507-931-1682.