[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Undocumented students and DACA recipients are not eligible for federal aid but may qualify for state-based financial aid, in-state tuition, and private scholarships depending on the state and institution.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some states like California, Florida, and New York offer supportive policies, while others, including Alabama and South Carolina, limit access to public colleges for undocumented students.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Scholarship opportunities for undocumented learners include the California Dream Act, Golden Door Scholars, and The Dream.US.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-flex] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]Applying for college financial aid is a difficult process, and it’s even more complicated for students without U.S. citizenship. This guide seeks to help undocumented learners navigate their financial aid options.[/hen-ui-text] IR A LA VERSIÓN INGLESA DE ESTA PÁGINA [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Undocumented students — even those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status — face unique challenges financing their education. Whether you’re planning to attend [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online college[/hen-ui-link] or seeking a traditional campus experience, your status as an undocumented student makes your financial situation difficult to navigate. For example:[/hen-ui-text]

• You are not eligible for federal financial aid.
• You may not be eligible for in-state tuition rates in certain states.
• You may be restricted from attending certain schools in your states, some of which are the most affordable options.
• You may lack the familial support structure available to other students.
• You may face restrictions around applying for jobs or working to finance your education.

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, you still have financial aid options, including student aid, in-state tuition rates in certain states, scholarships, and affordable learning options. Below, we outline the common obstacles undocumented students face and offer access to important resources. Here, you’ll find tips about completing (or not completing) your [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/”]Free Application for Federal Student Aid[/hen-ui-link] (FAFSA), obtaining student aid, shopping for scholarships, and identifying cost-effective opportunities for a high-quality education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Navigating Your FAFSA[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the college application process, particularly for those who are eligible for federal financial aid. However, filling out the FAFSA for undocumented students or DACA recipients can be a risky prospect. Depending on your situation, you may even be advised not to submit a FAFSA to the federal government.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]— If you are an immigrant student with full citizenship or naturalization status…[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You should complete your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. By law, you have access to the same opportunities for federal aid as any other American citizen. If you are deprived of these opportunities for any reason relating to your nationality or immigrant status, contact the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html/”]Office of Civil Rights[/hen-ui-link] in the Department of Education to file a discrimination grievance.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]— If you are a DACA recipient…[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The FAFSA application process requires a social security number, a state of residence, and tax information. DACA recipients should consult with their high school guidance counselors, admissions specialists, or financial aid offices before completing a FAFSA, to assess individual financial aid options and eligibility. While DACA recipients are not eligible for federal financial aid, filling out the FAFSA helps them access state and other financial aid.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, DACA recipients must remain aware of the ever-changing legal and political landscape. When the Trump administration pushed to limit rights for DACA recipients — with additional threats of deportation — submitting a FAFSA became risky for DACA students. As immigration officials became more forceful, colleges and universities began to implement policies to support undocumented students. Formal statements by campus administrators accompanied campus-wide programs to embrace diversity and inclusiveness.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many colleges and universities provide [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/”]services and protections[/hen-ui-link] for DACA recipients and undocumented students. Multicultural and bilingual staff help students to understand their legal rights, access financial and community support, and gain insight into available protections. Some institutions even have partnerships with law offices and advocate groups.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States [hen-ui-link href=”https://theconversation.com/what-the-supreme-courts-daca-ruling-means-for-undocumented-students-and-the-colleges-and-universities-they-attend-141111/”]supported DACA recipients'[/hen-ui-link] access to work and education in the U.S., but did not eliminate future threats to their security. For the time being, DACA recipients pursuing postsecondary education have access to state financial aid and special resources provided by individual states and institutions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]— If you are an undocumented student…[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While ineligible for federal financial aid, undocumented students may still have access to state and private funding opportunities. Pursing these options can often feel vulnerable for undocumented students, but the truth is no one has the right to ask about their legal status. Similarly, guidance counselors, admissions staff, and financial aid specialists cannot disclose a student’s legal status without their permission.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The availability of financial aid [hen-ui-link href=”https://uleadnet.org/”]varies by state[/hen-ui-link] and institution. For example, states like California, Florida, and New York have policies that explicitly provide resident tuition and financial aid opportunities for undocumented students, while Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio have implemented restrictive guidelines about tuition and aid alike. When searching for states and institutions that demonstrate support for undocumented students, individuals should also be aware of colleges and universities that openly express hostility for undocumented learners.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When researching schools, undocumented candidates should consider educational support groups, student advocacy initiatives, and available legal resources. This information is typically available online, but contacting an institution directly may be the best way for immigrant and undocumented students to understand the institution’s culture.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether or not immigrant and undocumented students can apply to the DACA program remains unclear. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://theconversation.com/what-the-supreme-courts-daca-ruling-means-for-undocumented-students-and-the-colleges-and-universities-they-attend-141111″]Supreme Court ruling[/hen-ui-link] in 2020 protected current DACA recipients, creating a pathway for renewal applications. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services should also accept [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nilc.org/issues/daca/”]initial applications[/hen-ui-link], but future attempts to limit DACA may arise from the executive branch.[/hen-ui-text] Note: Whether you are a DACA recipient or an undocumented student, you should never misrepresent information submitted on your financial aid forms. If you feel truthful answers could jeopardize your status, it is best to leave those sections blank. [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]State-By-State Access[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Your ability to access student aid and in-state tuition rates depends on the state where you plan to attend college. The rules differ for every state, which is something you’ll need to consider when [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/applying-to-college/how-to-apply-for-college/”]applying for colleges[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some states have passed legislation helping undocumented students access public universities, receive in-state tuition rates, and qualify for state or institutional financial aid. By contrast, other states have laws restricting educational opportunities, including denial of access to public universities and ineligibility for in-state tuition rates or financial aid.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/undocumented-student-tuition-overview.aspx/”]National Conference of State Legislatures[/hen-ui-link], as of 2020, 17 U.S. states have created legislation allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates, though practice varies. Four states grant access to local tuition rates for undocumented students through their state Boards of Regents. The state of Virginia provides in-state tuition eligibility only for undocumented students with DACA status. Among states that offer in-state tuition rates, seven also allow access to state financial aid.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Three states have passed laws that explicitly prohibit undocumented students from receiving financial aid. Alabama and South Carolina prohibit undocumented students from attending public colleges or universities altogether.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can explore state tuition and financial aid access rules in the map below:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-center”]State Financial Aid Access for Undocumented Students[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm text-right”]Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/undocumented-student-tuition-overview.aspx/”]National Center of State Legislators[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Scholarships for Undocumented Students[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective enrollees should research grants and other forms of funding, including scholarships specifically for undocumented students. In the vast majority of cases, you can apply for such scholarships despite your legal status.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Eligibility for these scholarships is unrelated to eligibility for financial aid or in-state tuition rates. A scholarship can supplement state benefits or compensate for them if you lack eligibility. Below are a few scholarship opportunities available for undocumented students.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.questbridge.org/” target=”_blank”]QuestBridge[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] QuestBridge aims to remove financial obstacles to higher education for low-income students. It prioritizes undocumented students among its served demographics.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.hsf.net/en_US/scholarship” target=”_blank”]Hispanic Scholarship Fund[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This annual fund awards merit-based scholarships to students of Hispanic ethnicity at the high school, community, university, and graduate school levels. This scholarship is available to DACA recipients.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://dream.csac.ca.gov/” target=”_blank”]California Dream Act[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Designed to help undocumented and non-resident students, the California Dream Act provides funding to students who attend eligible California colleges, universities, and career education programs. Applicants must submit a paper or online application for consideration each academic year.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.thedream.us/” target=”_blank”]The Dream.US[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This organization supports DACA recipients and undocumented students in overcoming financial barriers standing in the way of a college education.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.goldendoorscholars.org/” target=”_blank”]Golden Door Scholars[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The Golden Door Scholar program supports DACA recipients and eligible nonresident students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership experience, and community engagement. Recipients can attend one of Golden Door Scholars’ partner schools or an institution of their choosing.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As an undocumented student, your scholarship opportunities are not limited strictly to your ethnicity or legal status. You may also apply for scholarships related to academic performance, athletic participation, financial need, and LGBTQ+ identification, among many other factors. Expand your search for financial help with our [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-finances/scholarships/”]scholarship directory[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can You Go To College If You Are an Undocumented Immigrant?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many individuals believe undocumented immigrants can not attend college, but in reality, there are no federal prohibitions to prevent enrollment. However, some states — like [hen-ui-link href=”https://uleadnet.org/”]Alabama and South Carolina[/hen-ui-link] — restrict undocumented students from attending public colleges and universities, while other states restrict eligibility for resident tuition discounts.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For the most part, undocumented immigrants can apply to colleges and universities through the same avenues as their fellow students. Individuals with strong academic backgrounds, stellar community involvement, and high test scores on entrance exams can access higher education, like all other applicants.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can You Go To College Without a Social Security Number?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]DACA students — especially those with work authorizations — may have valid social security numbers, though students do not need a valid social security number to apply to or attend college in the United States.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, an individual without a social security number cannot apply for federal financial aid. They also may not be able to obtain a driver’s license, apply for a credit card, or open a bank account, though these restrictions can vary by state.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Will Colleges Accept Undocumented Students?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When an undocumented student applies to a college or university, they should check the institution’s policies and any state restrictions. Admissions specialists and offices that provide services to international students can facilitate the application process.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colleges and universities across the United States accept undocumented students, but there is no universal mandate on the matter. [hen-ui-link href=”https://uleadnet.org/”]States with restrictions[/hen-ui-link] include Arizona and Ohio, while undocumented immigrants find more inclusive acceptance policies in places like Washington, Illinois, and Virginia. Several states, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Alaska, have no stipulations about undocumented students and access to higher education.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can DACA Students Get Financial Aid?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In general, undocumented students — even DACA recipients — are not eligible for federal financial aid. Instead, DACA students can apply for aid provided through individual states, institutions, or private funders. DACA students with a social security number can complete a FAFSA to determine their eligibility.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Affordable College Options[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]Students can start budgeting for their education by choosing an affordable school. Depending on your educational and professional goals, you can explore several options.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”312,1481,1173″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]