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Each of these students has overcome obstacles and begun their college journey thanks to their grit, drive and determination—and the Dream Award provides them essential financial support so they can complete their education with less debt and less stress.
These renewable scholarships stay with students through the remainder of their college careers, ensuring that they can stay on track and finish their degrees. Since its founding in 2014, the Dream Award has helped nearly 200 talented, determined learners, and we’re excited to welcome the 2026 Dream Award cohort.
Today we’re introducing Miranda Rumsey, a political science and marketing double-major at Arizona State University. “I first learned about the Scholarship America Dream Award while searching for scholarship opportunities that support students throughout their college journey, not just during their first year,” Miranda said. “As someone who works hard to fund my education fully independently, I was drawn to the program’s commitment to helping students persist through graduation. The Dream Award stood out because it recognizes both financial need and determination.”
Here’s our conversation with Miranda; watch our blog to meet more Dream Award Scholars over the coming weeks.
My interest in studying Political Science began at an early age. I began watching people come together around issues they cared about and truly saw the power of civic engagement. This sparked my curiosity about government, public policy, and the democratic process, and it has stuck ever since.
As I have grown older, I have witnessed our nation become increasingly divided. These challenges have strengthened my desire to better understand the systems, institutions, and policies that shape our society. I am passionate about helping people become informed and engaged participants in their communities because I believe meaningful change begins when individuals have the knowledge and confidence to make their voices heard.
At the same time, I chose to study Marketing because it allows me to channel my creativity into meaningful communication. I have always enjoyed storytelling and finding innovative ways to connect with people. Marketing combines creativity with problem-solving, teaching me how to craft messages that not only inform but also inspire and motivate action.
These fields of study provide me with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact through both policy and communication.
This summer, I will be completing an internship with Northrop Grumman in International Trade Compliance, which has, so far, given me valuable experience and exposure to global trade and regulatory processes. I will also be continuing my voter engagement and advocacy work through the Democratic National Committee’s When We Count fellowship. Here, I am registering 10+ Arizona voters per week and raising engagement in competitive congressional districts.
Once school starts up again, I am looking forward to applying what I’ve learned in my internships to my coursework and continuing to grow both academically and professionally.
The Dream Award has relieved a tremendous amount of financial stress. As a student who is fully financially independent, every dollar matters. I have had to navigate college without the financial support or personal safety net that many students are able to rely on. My circumstances taught me resilience early in life and showed me that reaching my goals would require me to carve my own path.
Receiving the Dream Award has allowed me to focus more on my education and professional development rather than constantly worrying about how I will pay for tuition, housing, textbooks, and everyday living expenses. Before receiving this scholarship, I balanced school with multiple jobs simply to stay afloat financially.
Beyond the financial impact, the Dream Award has also provided me with some much-needed reassurance. This reassurance has shown me that there are people who believe in my potential and are willing to invest in my future. That encouragement has motivated me to continue pushing forward despite the obstacles I have faced and to work toward a future where I can help others the way this scholarship has helped me.
I hope to begin a career in government relations or lobbying, where I can combine my interests in public policy, advocacy, and strategic communication. I have also really enjoyed my experience at Northrop Grumman and would be excited to continue growing with the company if future opportunities are available.
If I could go back in time and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: Don’t wait for permission, perfect circumstances, or someone else’s approval to start building the life you want. Make deliberate choices, set your own direction, and trust that you can learn what you don’t yet know.
Our team is here to help you achieve your goals and build your custom scholarship program.