David Geffen School of Medicine Class of 2019 "Dream Campaign"

Welcome to the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA's Class of 2019 giving page! We are excited to present the "Dream Campaign," a scholarship fund that directly supports undocumented medical students in an effort to support diversity, inclusivity, and equality at our medical school. 

Currently, there are medical students at DGSOM who do not have access to basic financial resources, due to their immigration status. These students, though their position at DGSOM is protected by DACA, cannot legally receive any federally funded student financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, or work study money.* 

This puts an inordinately disproportionate financial burden on these students. 

Introduced in 2018, the "Dream Campaign" has provided thousands of dollars directly to these undocumented medical students. Join your fellow classmates and the DGSOM Class of 2019 as we stand in solidarity with your future colleagues. Every dollar counts as we aim for 100% class participation!

Even $5 can go a long way for our fellow students. Here are just a few examples of the ways YOUR gift can make a difference!

These American individuals were brought to this country as young children and have been protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which was enacted in August 2012.

In addition to these financial constraints, these students' futures became threatened when the current administration refused to renew DACA in September 2017. [More Info Here]

The University of California issued a statement of principles reaffirming its commitment to vigorously protect the privacy and civil rights of undocumented students. [More Info Here]

Here are some words of thanks from the "Dream Campaign" scholarship recipients:

 "It has been an emotionally tolling and stressful year as a DACA student, one full of uncertainty. Part of that uncertainty added to my stress of wondering how I was going to fund my medical education this year. Thank you for contributing to the Dream Scholarship and for helping me achieve my dreams."

"My journey in becoming a physician has not been easy with the limitations of documentation. However, as my dream finally unfolds towards reality, I realize more and more that my dream is no longer just mine but a community’s. Your support inspires me to continue studying and learning for the greater good and give back to those in most need. Thank you!"

"Thank you for your generous gift! But more importantly, thank you for believing that I too can become a productive and impactful member of my community. I hope to pay it forward someday."

"With the aid of the Dream Scholarship, I am better able to focus on the academic rather than financial aspect of becoming a physician. Furthermore, the fact that many came together to gather these funds for undocumented students has been heartwarming and greatly appreciated."

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for selecting me to be a scholarship recipient of the Dream Scholarship. Thank you for believing in my dreams of becoming a primary care physician of the underserved. I am a first generation, undocumented college student. I was born in Mexico and come from a single-parent household of four siblings. As the eldest, I made it a goal to always strive to be the best role model I can be for my younger ones. My desire is to help them and others believe we can have a better future than the life we see in our surrounding impoverished South LA community.  Attending medical school at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is a dream come true. I still pinch myself. I promise to always strive to give the best of me and to relentlessly fight for health equity for the underserved. This scholarship will no doubt take me closer to graduating with an MD degree."