In 2012, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine became the first medical school in the country to accept applicants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status. The DACA program provides these students with an employment authorization, which will allow them to become licensed physicians in most states should they obtain appropriate medical education.  However, the financing of a career in medicine continues to be the biggest obstacle because DACA recipients remain ineligible for federal student loans or financial aid.
Stritch has become widely known for accepting DACA students and Emelin Garcia Nieto, is one of them.  She came to the United States from Mexico when she was a baby. Her aunt decided to adopt her and take her to the U.S. with hopes for a better life. Unfortunately, her legal status prevented her from accessing student loans. Her adoptive parents were forced to hold multiple jobs in order to be able to pay her college tuition.
However, in 2012 she became a DACA recipient and was able to apply for scholarships.  Emelin graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Spanish. She is the first person in her family to have a college degree but she knew she wanted more.
Through the Academic Summer Program Integrating Resources for Excellence (ASPIRE), Emelin applied to Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.  Her dream of becoming a doctor was realized thanks to an innovative loan program conferred to DACA students who have been accepted to the School of Medicine, but are not eligible for traditional federal loans. Spearheaded by Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine, Trinity Health, and The Resurrection Project (TRP), her loan covers tuition and living expenses through her four years of medical school.  “Students like me have consistently been told no because of our lack of legal status in this country,” said Emelin. “However, all we really want is a chance to show that we can do it, and that our struggles force us to work harder.”
This year, Alejandra Duran Arreola, is among eight new students to receive the special loan from Stritch School of Medicine, in partnership with Northern Trust and The Resurrection Project, for a total of $2.6 million.   “These students are the future of America and the well-being of our communities depends on their ability to reach their true potential,” said Raul Raymundo, CEO of The Resurrection Project.
This summer, Alejandra will begin classes at Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine. “It’s because of institutions like Loyola and Northern Trust, and organizations like TRP that students like me have a chance,” said Alejandra.
Today, Emelin and Alejandra both plan on pursuing a specialization in the medical field and look forward to working with underserved immigrant communities.