Q: What are the program requirements?

You can apply to the DreamSF Fellowship if you are: - 18 years of age or older - Living in the Bay Area and able to work 16 hours a week in San Francisco - Available 20 hours a week, on a flexible schedule. All of our host organizations operate on standard business hours, Monday-Friday. - Available from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm every Friday for the weekly enrichment seminars. No exceptions. You also need to be currently enrolled, planning to enroll in, or recent graduate from an educational program such as a 2 or 4 year university or trade school. You must also: - Commit to a 6-month or 11-month long fellowship track. - Be invested in working with and supporting immigrant communities. - Have an immigrant experience and a strong connection to your immigrant community. - Have a flexible schedule to accommodate 20 hours a week. - Have obtained or are going to obtain a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. - Fluency in a second language is preferred, but not required.

Question 1

What is the DreamSF Fellowship?

Accepted Answer

The DreamSF Fellowship is a paid San Francisco-based leadership and professional development program for immigrant students and aspiring professionals who seek to gain real-world experience with social justice change-makers in the Bay Area. Fellows are paired with local immigrant-serving community organizations and gain hands-on experience in direct services, advocacy, and immigration law careers while growing a network of mentors. Fellows receive professional mentorship and attend weekly enrichment seminars to support their growth as leaders and community advocates.

Question 2

What are the program requirements?

Accepted Answer

You can apply to the DreamSF Fellowship if you are:

18 years of age or older
Living in the Bay Area
Available 20 hours a week
Available from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm every Friday
Proficient in English

You also need to be currently enrolled, planning to enroll in, or recent graduate from an educational program such as a 2 or 4-year university or trade school.

You must also:

Commit to a 6 month or 11 month fellowship
Be invested in working with and supporting immigrant communities.
Have an immigrant experience and a strong connection to your immigrant community.
Fluency in an additional language is preferred, but not required.

Learn more about the DreamSF application process in our FAQ section.

Question 3

How long is the Fellowship?

Accepted Answer

The DreamSF Fellowship is an 11 month fellowship with a 6 month fellowship "track" option.    The fellowship will begin in early July and conclude in December (6 month track) or May (11 month track) of the following year.

Question 4

Will I get a stipend?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All DreamSF Fellows receive a monthly stipend of approximately $1,500. Exact stipend amounts will be discussed when accepted into the fellowship program.

Question 5

Is the DreamSF Fellowship a good fit for me?

Accepted Answer

The DreamSF Fellowship program is designed for and will prioritize applicants who are undocumented, DACA recipients, asylum seekers and refugees.   BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), women, gender non-confirming people, and LGBTQIA+ people with an immigrant experience strongly encouraged to apply.

Question 6

Do I need to have DACA to apply?

Accepted Answer

No, the DreamSF Fellowship is open to all eligible individuals, regardless of their immigration status.  The program is designed for and will prioritize applicants who are undocumented, DACA recipients, asylum seekers and refugees.

Question 7

Do I need my high school diploma or GED to apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes.   All DreamSF Fellowship applicants must have obtained their high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent at the time of starting the program in July.

Question 8

Do I have to be a college student to apply?

Accepted Answer

The DreamSF Fellowship is for immigrant students and aspiring professionals. In order to apply, you also need to be currently enrolled, planning to enroll in, or recent graduate from an educational program such as a 2 or 4-year university or trade school.   Recent graduates, community college students, and trade school students are all encouraged to apply, if all other requirements are met.

Question 9

Do I need to have a social security number or ITIN?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need a social security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in order to be eligible for the DreamSF Fellowship.

Question 10

How do I submit my application?

Accepted Answer

Review this Apply page of our website and carefully read through the FAQs and eligibility requirements.   What you will need: The DreamSF Fellowship application you will be asked to provide basic personal and professional information as well as the following:  Responses to 3 short answer questions of about 250 words each and  3 essays of about 500 words each.   Short answer questions and essay topics are about your professional skills, goals and interests; your connection to immigrant communities; and your personal growth and development.

Question 11

Can I save my application and return to it later?

Accepted Answer

The application is available on SurveyMonkey.   While SurveyMonkey does not have a 'save' button, the web browser you are using is able to save your application. You can return to the same web browser and computer to continue an application you have started. Do not delete your cookies or history. Example: use your personal laptop and open your browser (like Chrome) and do not delete cookies or history between the times you work on your application.

Question 12

What is the selection process like?

Accepted Answer

1. We will email you about your application sometime in mid-May 2022. We will contact you using the email you provided on your application, so use an email you will check frequently.    2. If you are selected as a semi-finalist, you will have a group and individual interview. The interview will be in-person, in San Francisco.      3. If you are selected for the DreamSF Fellowship, you will start in early July 2022. Specific start times will be provided upon entry into the program.   More details will be provided at different time throughout the application and interview process.    During this process, please do not call our office number to inquire about the status of your application, unless otherwise instructed.

Question 13

Where will the interviews take place?

Accepted Answer

Unless otherwise communicated, DreamSF interviews will be held in-person in San Francisco.

Question 14

How will I be placed with a community organization?

Accepted Answer

Fellows are paired with local immigrant-serving community organizations and gain hands-on experience in direct services, advocacy, and immigration law careers and more. These organizations are called host sites.   All host site placements are made through a mutual matching process, which takes place in July. Placements are determined in four phases:  Phase 1: All fellows visit all the host site organizations accepted into the program. Fellows will meet potential supervisors and colleagues and have an opportunity to ask questions about the projects fellows will be assigned at that organization.   Phase 2: Both fellows and host sites submit their top choices to the DreamSF Program Coordinator. Through a matching process, virtual or phone interviews are scheduled between host sites and fellows.   Phase 3: Fellows and host sites conduct several virtual or phone interviews and both parties submit a final their top choices.   Phase 4:  The DreamSF Program Coordinator matches fellows with a host organization based on the aforementioned process.

Question 15

Do all fellows get placed at San Francisco organizations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all host site organizations that participate in the fellowship are located in San Francisco. Fellows commute to their site or work virtually. Fellows are expected to budget for their own transportation costs, if working in-person or attending fellowship-related events. Travel will not be reimbursed.

Question 16

Does the DreamSF Fellowship provide travel stipends?

Accepted Answer

No. Fellows are responsible for travel costs associated with the program.

Question 17

What are the enrichment seminars?

Accepted Answer

Weekly enrichment seminars are a virtual space for fellows to come together, foster camaraderie, network, and encourage each other’s development. Guest speakers are invited to present on a variety of topics to support fellows as they navigate their personal and professional development, and fellows conduct peer-led leadership sessions.   Fellows are required to complete 16 hours a week at the host site, and spend every Friday from 9:30am- 12:30pm at the enrichment seminars.

Question 18

Are weekly enrichment seminars are required?

Accepted Answer

If you have a conflicting class or work shift, it is your responsibility to adjust your schedule to accommodate the seminar.

Question 19

What will my schedule look like as a fellow?

Accepted Answer

All DreamSF Fellows will work directly with their host site to create a unique schedule based on mutual availability.   All fellows are required to identify 16 hours a week to meet and complete with their host site during standard business hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Most host sites are not open on weekends, so do not assume you will have this option.  All fellows are required to attend the weekly seminars on Fridays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.    In addition to regular hours, there will be special events such as immigration workshops, outreach events and more which you will be required to attend on weekends or evenings. More information will be provided upon selection into the program.

Question 20

How will my hours and skills be tracked?

Accepted Answer

DreamSF Fellows must submit weekly reflections tracking hours and skills developed in order to receive their stipend.

Question 21

Are fellows hired by their host site after the fellowship?

Accepted Answer

Fellows are encouraged to network with their host site. If an open position at an agency becomes available, DreamSF alumni can decide to apply through the organization’s hiring process.  No position is ever guaranteed through this fellowship.  In addition to the work at host sites, there are many opportunities to network and job search with the DreamSF Alumni Network.

Question 22

How can I get help with my DreamSF application?

Accepted Answer

Do you need extra help with your application? Do you have a question we didn't address in the FAQ?    Email dreamsfoutreach@gmail.com and we will get back to you within a business day!

Question 23

Who can I contact with more questions?

Accepted Answer

For additional questions not related to the DreamSF application, please contact the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs at:   Email: civic.engagement@sfgov.org

Apply to become

a

DreamSF Fellow!

Luis Quiroz, DreamSF Fellow, 2017

This program is welcome to everyone who meets the minimum qualifications. You can apply regardless
of your immigration status.

The DreamSF Fellowship is a paid leadership and professional development program for immigrants in the Bay Area.

Applications for the 2022-2023 DreamSF cohort are now closed.

Eligibility Requirements

What you'll need

How to submit your application:

Frequently Asked Questions

Maria Gavaldon, DreamSF Fellow, 2017