Account Verification Status Now Available on EVR Submission Tracking Sheet

To strengthen our security protocols, all Partner Colleges must go through a bank account verification process managed by ISTS. This includes micro deposits to confirm account details, for Partner Colleges that have yet to complete this process.

See the updated EVR Submission Tracking sheet for the status of your school's account verification.

Action required: Please ensure your Point of Contact listed in the ACH Form is responding to ISTS' outreach for account verification to minimize delays in processing Spring funds.

Questions: Camila.Salkov@thedream.us

Spring/Q2 EVR Deadline: March 2!

As a reminder, Spring/Q2 EVRs are due by Monday, March 2, 2026. Please submit as soon as possible!

Track the status of your EVR submission here.

EVR Reminders:

• Prior to submitting your Spring EVRs, we suggest you re-run your EVR and see if any additional Scholars populate in your report before submission. 
• PCs are responsible for completing all information in the yellow areas.
• Please do not change any information located in the grey cells.
• All information provided should be entered for the term, not the annual year.
• If a Scholar has withdrawn from classes, but still owes for them, enter them as enrolled and include the withdrawn credits and balance. Please note "withdrawn" in the "Partner College Comments" section instead.
• Please include your Partner College name in the EVR filename to avoid delays in payments.

Payment Process Updates:

• Moving forward, all PCs are required to acknowledge receipt of payment. Once ISTS has confirmed that your EVR payment has been processed and disbursed, Camila will send you an email requesting confirmation of receipt. To complete this step, all you need to do is reply to the email to confirm that the funds have been received by your school. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Camila directly.

The instructions and video tutorial can be found in the Program Management section on our website. The full EVR schedule for the current academic year can be found here.

Questions: Camila.Salkov@thedream.us

The National Scholarship Closes this Saturday, February 28!

We are less than 3 days away from the National Scholarship deadline on February 28, 2026!

We encourage all National Partner Colleges to do a final push to the applicants that have started their application but have not yet submitted. You can track applicants by running your Applicant Report in your ISTS PC Portal. Application status is located in column O.

Reminder: It takes 70 started applications to get 25 submitted applications to yield the required 10 enrolled Scholars at your Partner College.

Questions: Yajaira.Gonzalez@thedream.us 

Happening Tonight: Final National Scholarship Q&A

We are hosting one more Promotional Event this evening – please share the following date, time, registration link and flyer with your prospective students:

National Scholarship Q&A – Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6 pm ET

Register here!

Key reminders:

• A strong promotional strategy is key to recruiting and enrolling at least 10 TheDream.US Scholars. 
• All of our outreach presentations in English and Spanish are now available on our website for anyone hosting informational and outreach presentations for applicants this year!
• If you are hosting a promotional event, please let us know and/or request on the TheDream.US Promo Request Form. 

Questions: Askus@thedream.us

Communications and Promotional Questions: Michael@npagency.com

PC Power Hour RECAP: Supporting First Generation Immigrant Students' Career Development: A Multi-Perspective Deep Dive

Our February session featured a panel discussion where speakers provided insights on how they have supported Scholars with inclusive internships and fellowship opportunities on their campuses. They shared strategies, structures, and the impact on their Scholars.  

TheDream.US Team followed up with additional Career Connections resources and programming for our Scholars, as well as reminders of upcoming deadlines for our PC staff. Please view the presentation, the recording, and Zoom AI Summary for these deadlines and action items.

Please feel free to connect with our panelists:

• Rosa Salamanca, University of Utah Special Assistant to the AVP and Director of the Dream Center; rosa.salamanca@utah.edu
• Emily Ginger, Illinois Institute of Technology, Assistant Director of Career Development and Assessment; eginger@illinoistech.edu

See past PC Power Hour Recordings and Presentations.

Next PC Power Hour: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 2 pm ET.

Questions: Chris.Aviles@thedream.us

Free Webinar: H-1B Updates Ahead of the Next Lottery

As the next H-1B lottery approaches, significant changes are reshaping the program, including a new $100,000 government filing fee for certain petitions and evolving agency guidance that may affect employer sponsorship and worker mobility. 

Path2Papers is conducting this webinar to let you know what to expect in the upcoming H-1B lottery, how the new fee structure may impact employers and applicants, and key strategic considerations amid ongoing uncertainty.

Designed for Dreamer employees, employers, and advocates seeking practical, timely insight.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

12 pm PT, 2 pm CT, 3 pm ET

Register Here

TheDream.US PC New Staff Orientations

Join Chris Aviles, Senior Program Manager of Partner College and Scholar Supports for one of our TheDream.US PC New Staff Orientations this semester. Our next session will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 11 am PT, 1 pm CT, 2 pm ET. 

The onboarding sessions will provide an overview of our program, expectations for staff in designated roles, and key dates and processes, as well as the resources available to help you support our Scholars on your campus!

If you are new to working with TheDream.US or a veteran that needs a refresher, sign up today.

Questions: Chris.Aviles@thedream.us

Happening Tomorrow: Immigration Q&A

Join us as we kick off our first Immigration Q&A session of the year. These sessions are Scholar facing but all PC staff are welcome. 

President and CEO, Gaby Pacheco, and Chief of Staff and Government Affairs, Susan Collins will discuss the current state of DACA and TPS, and share tips on how Scholars should prepare for an immigration emergency.  

In the second half of the session, expert immigration attorney Andrea Montavon answers Scholars' questions live, and Dr. Cheryl Aguilar provides mental wellness resources to help Scholars during these challenging times.  

Thursday, February 26, 2026

2 pm PT, 4 pm CT, 5 pm ET

Register Here

Dream Act: What It Is & How You Can Help

On Wednesday, March 11 at 6 pm ET, TheDream.US and Congressional staff will be hosting a virtual session, “Dream Act: What It Is & How You Can Help”, to clearly explain what the Dream Act is, what it could change, and what it might mean for our Scholars and Alumni.

If passed, the Dream Act could provide permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for many Dreamers. This session is about breaking it down in simple, real terms, including:

• Explaining what the bill actually says

• Sharing who could qualify 

• Answering common questions

• Talking about how people can help move it forward

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

3 pm PT, 5 pm CT, 6 pm ET

Register Here

Let Us Know of Scholar Emergency Cases

As the first in line of contact with our Scholars on-campus, we deeply appreciate your immediate notification of a Scholar’s immigration emergency. To help us identify and determine whether TheDream.US can assist with a Scholar’s immigration case in any way, please bookmark this form. Complete the form as soon as you are aware of a Scholar that is: 

• Detained, facing removal (not detained), deported 
• Self-deported or intends to self-deport
• Experiencing DACA renewal issues 

Questions? Email Susan.Collins@thedream.us  

Critical Legal Memo: In-State Tuition & Scholarships for Undocumented Students

We want to make sure you and your leadership teams have this important resource: In-State Tuition and Scholarships for Undocumented Students: What Institutions Should Know.

This legal memo provides high-level guidance for college presidents and general counsels on how institutions can lawfully offer in-state tuition and scholarships to undocumented Dreamer students. We encourage you to read it and share it with your leadership and legal teams to ensure your campus is aligned with the latest considerations.

Toolkit- How to Support Detained or Deported Students

TheDream.US in collaboration with Presidents’ Alliance and Institutional Solutions created the “Steps Campuses can Take to Support Detained or Deported Students”, a resource designed to help colleges and universities take a proactive approach in identifying and providing appropriate support for students, faculty, and staff in the event of detention or deportation. Review the guide for helpful tips you can implement on your campus!

Questions? Email Chris.Aviles@thedream.us

PC Career Development Events Fund

Your college can get up to a $2,000 grant to host a Career Event for Scholars regardless of work authorization. Events should primarily focus on NEBOs, entrepreneurship, small business ownership, and independent contract work. 

Check out our toolkit for helpful suggestions on event structures and key learning objectives. Apply now to reserve your funds for a Spring or Fall event. 

Questions? Email Chris.Aviles@thedream.us

For all emails sent to Scholars, go here

For Past PC Weeklys, go here

For Calendar of Events, go here