Higher Education for Dreamers
How one compassionate choice led to hundreds of fulfilled dreams
ECE’s first scholar, Melissa Patino Gonzalez, and Founder Dr. Mike Spalding share the moving circumstances that enabled hundreds of undocumented students in Tennessee to go to college. Story by Brad Schmitt of The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, March 10, 2022.
An Equal Chance for All
In Tennessee there are thousands of students who face possible financial barriers toward higher education as they are not eligible for:
- In-state tuition at community colleges and public institutions
- State or Federal Funding
- Students loans
Many ECE scholars arrived in the United States as children, and they have thrived in our Tennessee school systems. At ECE we believe the logical and ethical solution is to provide equal opportunities for all Tennesseans.
ECE To Date
Get Involved
Providing equitable access to education would not be possible without the generosity of our partner institutions. Past and present ECE cohorts have attended the following universities:
Apply for a Scholarship
If you are a student in Tennessee, you may qualify for an ECE Scholarship up to $25,000 if you meet the following criteria:
You are ineligible to receive FAFSA funding
You graduated (or will soon graduate) from a Tennessee high school
You have lived in Tennessee for at least one year by February 15, 2026
