College Guide for Undocumented Students

DACA is an Obama-era program that shields people brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. Since DACA was introduced in 2012, more than 825,000 young people have been able to work, live, and go to school. Many of these DACA recipients have gone to college and become nurses, teachers, doctors, lawyers, or business owners.

DACA is especially important for college students. Undocumented students can go to college, even if they don't have DACA. But it's often more difficult and expensive.

DACA makes it easier to go to school and qualify for financial aid to help cover tuition. Some financial aid pools are available only to DACA students, and some schools and states offer DACA students in-state tuition, but not all undocumented students. Because DACA students are able to legally work, they can find jobs to help pay for college and enter the workforce after earning their degree.

While the DACA program protects undocumented students brought to the U.S. as children from deportation, it does not offer a pathway to citizenship. The program in its current state also requires recipients to have come to the U.S. before 2007, which means the majority of graduating high school seniors are now too young to qualify.

Currently, DACA is still in effect and those who have DACA are still shielded from deportation. However, the federal government is appealing a July 2021 ruling in Texas that deemed the DACA program unlawful. Oral arguments for that case began on July 6, 2022.

The federal government is still currently accepting applications from those who have never had DACA or whose status expired more than a year ago. However, it is not processing or granting these applications, meaning those who have not had DACA for more than one year will not be approved pending the appeal of the Texas case. Those who currently have DACA or those whose status expired less than a year ago can still file for renewal.

The Dream Act is a piece of legislation initially introduced in 2001 that would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people brought to the United States as children. There have been many versions of the Dream Act introduced in Congress since the initial legislation in 2001, none of which have been passed into law despite widespread bipartisan support from American adults.

Undocumented young people, sometimes called Dreamers, have different levels of accessibility to higher education depending on where they live. Some states have passed their own version of the Dream Act or additional pieces of legislation that provide benefits for those who are undocumented.

At least 22 states have laws that make higher education more affordable for undocumented college students. States where undocumented immigrants qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid offer some of the best options for higher education for undocumented students. However, students should check eligibility requirements to make sure they qualify.

States with Laws Increasing Higher Education Access for Undocumented Students

Most of these laws require students to have lived in the state for a specific amount of time, attended school, and/or graduated high school in the state to qualify.

The National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Immigration Law Center both provide state-by-state information related to tuition benefits for undocumented students pursuing higher education.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is a form that college students typically fill out to qualify for financial aid from federal and state governments and their school.

Because the FAFSA requires a Social Security Number (SSN), many undocumented students will not be able to fill out the application for aid. 

Students who have DACA can apply for an SSN and use that to fill out the FAFSA, even though they won't qualify for federal aid. This will allow the government to give you a Student Aid Report (SAR), which colleges can use to award you state or institutional aid. 

If you have concerns about submitting personal information through the FAFSA, talk to a high school counselor or the financial aid office at the school you want to attend to see what the best options are for you based on your personal circumstances. You do not have to disclose your immigration status.

This depends on the state. Many states have laws that allow undocumented college students to access state financial aid, scholarships, and/or in-state tuition. Some limit these benefits to certain universities or only allow DACA recipients to access funding. The Presidents' Alliance provides detailed information on state laws in their Higher Ed Guide to Tuition, Financial Aid, & Other Funding Opportunities for Undocumented Students.

States that provide financial aid for undocumented students often have their own applications similar to the FAFSA. Undocumented and DACA students in California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington are eligible to receive state financial aid and can find application information by clicking on the name of their state above. 

The type of aid and application process available to undocumented students varies from state to state and may even be different depending on your school. Undocumented students should contact their financial aid office to find out what aid is available and how to apply.

For students who live in a state that has its own financial aid application, your school may recommend you fill that out to apply for aid. Some schools may also have undocumented students submit a CSS Profile, which is an online application for nonfederal student financial aid through the College Board, rather than submitting the FAFSA. Those who do not have an SSN may need to submit a paper copy of the FAFSA.

Financial aid and admissions officers are there to help you navigate the college admissions and enrollment process. Generally speaking, it is safe to discuss your circumstances with them if you feel comfortable and safe doing so. However, students should never feel obligated to disclose any information about their undocumented status to anyone. 

The U.S. Department of Education states that school officials should not ask a student about their citizenship status. Financial aid counselors are not required to report undocumented students to ICE or USCIS and are actually legally not permitted to do so in most cases.

Colleges and universities legally cannot share most student information, including immigration status, with third parties under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). That includes ICE and any other federal agency. Schools can only disclose information without written consent if they are court-ordered to do so or if the information is subpoenaed. 

According to the Stanford Law School Policy Lab, ICE often issues administrative "warrants" when seeking information, which are not court-ordered, and student information would be protected under FERPA in that case. Removal warrants or deportation orders from ICE are also not court-ordered, and student information would remain protected under FERPA in that case as well.

The only other exception to this rule is if ICE or the Department of Homeland Security is seeking to monitor students with F, J, or M student visas. If you are a student with an F, J, or M nonimmigrant visa, schools are required to share your information if it's requested by ICE.

If you have DACA, it is safe to report your undocumented status to your school, as you are lawfully permitted to reside, work, and pursue higher education in the country. Many students are understandably hesitant to share their immigration status with school officials even when they know how FERPA laws protect their confidential information. 

Some schools are very clearly supportive of undocumented students and show this by establishing sanctuary campus policies or pledging to protect and support undocumented students. Checking your school's website or asking school officials about policies related to undocumented students can help you gauge how supportive your school will be in helping you navigate college as an undocumented student and can help you feel safer in getting the help you need.

Because undocumented students have limited access to financial aid, they often have to rely on private student loans or scholarships to pay for college. As a general rule, students should seek gift aid like grants and scholarships before relying on student loans to reduce the cost of their education and minimize debt. 

Checking to see if you qualify for state funding is the first step in covering education costs. Many undocumented students also rely on scholarships and grants to fund their education. There are a variety of funding programs geared specifically towards students who are undocumented, students of color, first-generation students, and many other demographics. 

Immigrant Rising provides an annual list of scholarships and fellowships for undocumented students. TheDream.US is another useful resource for undocumented students looking for scholarships and partners with different colleges to better support Dreamers.

Individual colleges and universities also often provide additional resources and funding. Check with the colleges you want to attend to see what options are available for you.

Once students have used all available scholarships, grants, and other gift aid, they can use private student loans to finance the rest of their education. While undocumented individuals can still take out private loans, their loan providers may require them to have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen. Fixed-rate private student loans are generally a better option than variable-rate loans, whose interest rates can fluctuate unpredictably.

Undocumented students are only able to work while they're in school if they have a work permit through DACA or another program. A DACA work permit allows undocumented students to hold any job they qualify for, just as a U.S. citizen would be able to. DACA students can find jobs on campus and work for their school, or they can work off-campus in their local area.