A state fund created to give scholarships to immigrant students will accept applications soon, according to The Associated Press.

The state fund may also be applicable to immigrants living in the country illegally, according to the AP. The privately-funded Illinois DREAM Fund is a non-profit organization created by the state to give financial assistance to immigrant students. The fund raised $500,000.

Officials said all immigrants but those who were brought to the country illegally will receive special focus, according to the AP.

Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA, according to the AP. Students graduating high school must have a minimum ACT score of 17.

According to the AP, officials said students attending two-year colleges are eligible to apply for $2,000 scholarships and those attending four-year institutions can apply for $6,000.

Tanya Cabrera, Illinois DREAM Fund chair, expects 5,000 applicants this year, according to the AP. Applicants will be accepted this Thursday.