August 04, 2008 |
Valley & State
Budinger: American Dream includes education for all
6 commentsAug. 4, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Lisa Budinger is CEO of the Arizona College Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring to high-potential/low-income students.

Budinger was a guest last week on aztalk's Live Talk Wednesday. The complete interview can be found at aztalk.azcentral.com.

She discussed the foundation's support for the American Dream Fund sponsorship, which helps children of illegal immigrants pursue their dreams of a college education.
Budinger said the support fits the overall mission of the foundation: To help students whose biggest obstacle is not academics, but personal economics.

"The post-secondary completion rate for this population is about 25 percent, but our program has a retention rate of 94 percent," she said. "Our mission is to increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders in Arizona. We are the largest statewide provider of scholarships in Arizona."

Budinger received her bachelor of arts from Texas Christian University and her master of business administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

1. Tell us about the American Dream Fund. What is it, and who does it serve?

The American Dream Fund was created through a collaboration between concerned community leaders, Chicanos Por La Causa and Arizona College Scholarship Foundation. The fund provides scholarships to approximately 200 students currently enrolled in academic programs at Arizona State University who have been reclassified to out-of-state tuition status as a result of Proposition 300.

2. Are any local students who are not sons or daughters of illegal immigrants being denied scholarships or financial aid as a result of illegal- immigrant children going to Arizona universities?

No. The students who receive an American Dream Fund Scholarship add to the talent pool in our universities without displacing any other Arizona students. They are not receiving any scholarships or financial aid from Arizona universities.

3. What's the No. 1 misconception people have about children of illegal immigrants in public schools? Is it their grade point average or how much a part of their school and student body they really are?

There are so many misconceptions, but I would have to say that the No. 1 misconception has to do with these students' dedication to their education and communities. The students that we are helping with the Dream Fund are superstars. Most of them graduated from high school at the top of their class, were leaders in their schools and have logged countless volunteer hours helping others in their communities. These are not kids looking for a handout or someone to take care of them. They are pursuing the "American Dream." They want to improve themselves and be contributing members of society. They know that in order to do so they need a college education. They aren't looking for special treatment, just a shot at the dream.

4. Certainly your group - the Arizona College Scholarship Foundation - takes some heat for helping out children of illegal immigrants. So, why are you and your foundation so committed to the cause?

We believe that every individual in Arizona should have the opportunity to attend and be prepared to succeed in post-secondary education. Frankly, the economic future of our state depends on it. The students benefiting from the fund were already enrolled in academic programs at ASU and have had their tuition status changed midstream through their programs. As a result, the 250 percent tuition increase coupled with all forms of financial aid being revoked has, in most cases, made it impossible for them to complete their degree program. We believe that by helping these students complete their post-secondary education we are contributing to their long-term success and helping them to become contributing members of our community. These students add to the talent pool in our universities without displacing any other Arizona students. They are important to our ability to compete successfully in today's global economy. For that, we need more college graduates, not fewer.

5. What percentage of students in need are being helped by the American Dream Fund?


It's really hard to say. The American Dream Fund only helps students at ASU, and every university and community college in Arizona has students in this situation in need of assistance. With that said, we were able to award scholarships to 71 percent of the ASU students who applied for the Dream Fund.

6. Where can people send donations if they want to help?

They can make checks payable to "American Dream Fund" and send them either to us at Arizona College Scholarship Foundation, 1430 E. Missouri Ave, Suite 205, Phoenix, AZ 85014, or to Chicanos Por la Causa at 1112 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85034

7. Final thoughts?

The pro-illegal immigration and anti-illegal immigration tags have no place in this discussion. Supporting the American Dream Fund is about being pro-Arizona.

http://tinyurl.com/5neywf