How things are.

Well, I'm Veronica. I'm 18 years old and going to be a senior. I came to the U.S. when i was 9. Supposed to be in fourth grade, but they failed me because I didn't speak English. Because I'm illegal, when the year ends, I don't know what I'll do. I really want to go to college and be an architect. That's my dream. But there's a wall there that stops me. I don't drive, or have a job. Things are hard now. We don't have much money for anything. I really wished I could work so I can help out my parents and brothers. I'm the younges one of four, only girl. Both of my oldest brothers work in construction, they don't have a lot work now. They both have families to support. My youngest brother and I are stuck at home. He graduated, but can't get a job or drive anywhere. I don't want to be like that in a year. I really hope and pray that the Dream Act will get pass. It's a great way to better myself, and everyone who needs it as much as me..

i'm sure you can find scholarships to help you get through school!
dont give up on your dreams....go to a community college!
what state do you live in? maybe you can get in state tuition.

I hope that the DA passes this year so that you are able to go to college without a problem.

And I agree with the person above, go to a community college. It is actually a very sound strategy for many people that would even get into some of the best schools. Why pay something like 45k a year for four years if the first 2 years of every college/university is very similar. If anything that will buy you move time to find a more permanent solution while you gear up and transfer to a better a school after those 2 first years.

(I actually have many friends non-illegal doing that, and had I not reiceived a scholarship that made my attendance to this other good school actually cheaper I would have followed that route as well).

*hint make sure the community college meets ABET requirements if you take this route as it almost guarantees that the credits will be transferable to most larger colleges and universities

I live in Fl. I was looking into getting in a community college, but I don't know if i can pay it all. I may get a scholarship or two, but I would have to pay some money. And with no work or money, I don't know if I will make it. I'm not giving up though. I always think of one day I'll be oh so happy, so then I try harder. I'm a positive person even though everything seems hard.

Dont worry Veronica it WILL pass!
Have you tried looking for jobs at craigslist?
Community College is your best bet.
Thats what I'm doing for the first two years and then transfer to a university.

If you lived in Vegas I could help you a lot, since I have met pretty powerful people lately in Nevada who are okay with "illegals" who stay good to there country and our not criminals or trouble makers.

If you ever move to Nevada I'll be happy to help you

Edit:Since your just becoming a senior you have a lot of chances for scholarships.

Here is a large amount of scholarships for undocumented students.

http://maldef.org/leadership/scholar...rship_List.pdf

However this is the list for 2008-2009
You should go to maldef.org at least once a week to see when scholarships become available. Try fastweb.com also!

What is craigslist? I looked it up and didn't find anything useful for me. :/

craigslist.org is a site, pretty similar to the marketplace application that everyone has on facebook. Basically someone wants something, whether an employee, an item etc., they put it up there and people see it and get in contact with that person.

I actually never thought about looking for a job there, umm.. might just look at what they have to offer.

Well buck answered the question.

Maybe asking your counselor would be a good idea? It's hard telling someone else your secret. You never know she might be your best resource ever.

There are a couple of dreamies in FL that I know, and they all pay out of state tuition unfortunately =[. craigslist is the def the way to go, thats how i got my job. I applied to my college online, you should try doing that, maybe there is a way around it. some kind of loophole, thats how i got in-state tuition for my college.

I would beware any form of aid if it has any tax dollars backing it, as getting such aid would be considered fraud, even if it was them that messed up and gave you the aid through some sort of loophole. This was something that a lawyer relayed to me rather sternly after I told him that I was attending a private institution on a half scholarship, even after I told him that the scholarship was private he was worried that it could have any federal money backing that form of aid.

personally I thought he was being a bit dramatic about that, but he knows immigration law better then I do.