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TheDream.US Scholarship Awarded to Queensborough Transfer Student as She Starts a New Chapter in her Life

Published: January 25, 2024

English major Carmen Mia De Maria Tello Roig has transferred from Queensborough at the end of winter session and will start classes at Queens College this spring semester. She will carry with her a $39,000 scholarship from theDream.US, the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented students. The fund is distributed according to the student’s needs and is calculated based on credits, supplies, and necessities, among other things. Carmen was notified of her scholarship award in April 2022. At the time she had Tap funds in her student account that had to be calculated before TheDream.US could calculate what it would award her for the semester. She enrolled at Queensborough in fall 2022, and then fast tracked through spring 2023, summer 2023 (for 12 credits), and fall 2023. “I first learned of the theDream.US, on a Spanish television show,” said Carmen, a first-generation student who arrived in the U.S. from Peru when she was four years old. “I applied two days before the application deadline.” “This is a game changer for me, and I have my wonderful professors and advisors from International Affairs to thank for opening doors that led me to this place.” Throughout her time here she has followed her passion for service. She volunteered at various campus events such as the Wellness Club and as a member of the Journalism Club interviewed art students taking part in the 2023 Juried Student Art Exhibit. Last semester Carmen signed up for Teach for America and received a part-time semester long paid fellowship for $1,200 to tutor middle school students on-line in English and science. “Having a tutor can be an invaluable experience and being a tutor teaches you a lot. I hope to continue serving as a tutor while pursing my bachelor's in English at Queens College.” When asked about her advice to undocumented students, Carmen said, “Research, ask questions and be persistent. Work with the registrar and admissions office to be sure your account status is up to date. Remember that advisors are your advocates and will help you reach out to other resources if they do not have the answers.”English major Carmen Mia De Maria Tello Roig has transferred from Queensborough at the end of winter session and will start classes at Queens College this spring semester. She will carry with her a $39,000 scholarship from theDream.US, the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented students.  The fund is distributed according to the student’s needs and is calculated based on credits, supplies, and necessities, among other things.

Carmen was notified of her scholarship award in April 2022. At the time she had Tap funds in her student account that had to be calculated before TheDream.US could calculate what it would award her for the semester.  She enrolled at Queensborough in fall 2022, and then fast tracked through spring 2023, summer 2023 (for 12 credits), and fall 2023.

“I first learned of the theDream.US, on a Spanish television show,” said Carmen, a first-generation student who arrived in the U.S. from Peru when she was four years old. “I applied two days before the application deadline.”

“This is a game changer for me, and I have my wonderful professors and advisors from International Affairs to thank for opening doors that led me to this place.”

Throughout her time here she has followed her passion for service. She volunteered at various campus events such as the Wellness Club and as a member of the Journalism Club interviewed art students taking part in the 2023 Juried Student Art Exhibit.

Last semester Carmen signed up for Teach for America and received a part-time semester long paid fellowship for $1,200 to tutor middle school students on-line in English and science. “Having a tutor can be an invaluable experience and being a tutor teaches you a lot. I hope to continue serving as a tutor while pursing my bachelor's in English at Queens College.”

When asked about her advice to undocumented students, Carmen said, “Research, ask questions and be persistent. Work with the registrar and admissions office to be sure your account status is up to date. Remember that advisors are your advocates and will help you reach out to other resources if they do not have the answers.”

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