Tips for Undocumented Students

Generally, undocumented status will not prevent admission to college or a vocational program, or from enrolling in classes. Being an undocumented student limits the types of financial aid available and could affect how tuition is charged. See Questions 2, 4, 8, and 9.

An undocumented student is not eligible for federal financial aid such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Direct Loans. However, there may be financial aid from other sources, including the college you want to attend and private organizations.

As a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to receive federal financial aid, regardless of your parents’ status. However, their status will prevent them from borrowing a parent PLUS Loan to help pay your college expenses. If you have additional questions about your financial aid options, contact the financial aid office at your college.

Possibly. Many states have enacted legislation that allows undocumented students who meet certain qualifications to be charged in-state tuition at some or all public postsecondary institutions in the state. Visit the Higher Ed Immigration Portal for information on in-state tuition availability.

Common criteria for undocumented students to receive in-state tuition in certain states include attending a state high school for two to four years, earning a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) in the state, enrolling in a public postsecondary institution in the state, and filing an affidavit stating intent to legalize status and become a permanent resident. Check with the college you plan to attend about the criteria in your state.

The financial aid available to undocumented students from colleges and other postsecondary schools varies widely among institutions. Financial aid could include institutional scholarships, grants, loans, and work programs. Institutional scholarships often come with a merit component. To find out what is available at the college you plan to attend, contact the financial aid office at that college.

It depends. A noncitizen is unable to complete the FAFSA unless they have a Social Security Number (SSN). DACA allows students to remain in the country; however, it does not make such students eligible for federal student aid (such as the Federal Pell Grant), even if they have an SSN.

Some states and colleges use information from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state or institutional financial aid programs. Contact the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend to find out what types of aid are available and whether the FAFSA is required to apply.

Here are some websites to use to research scholarships:

• Fast Web
• Get Schooled
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
• La Plaza Scholarship and Financial Aid Guide

Scholarships can be used to pay most educational expenses, including but not limited to:

•  Tuition and fees;
• Living expenses (food and housing);
• Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment (including the documented rental or purchase of a personal computer);
• Transportation;
• The cost of a first professional credential for a program requiring a credential for employment; and
• Miscellaneous personal expenses.

Check with the organization that awarded scholarship funds about any restrictions.

No. Financial aid counselors are not required to report undocumented students to ICE or USCIS. However, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a school or school district may disclose information from a student’s education records without consent to specific entities, such as a state education office, or for specific purposes, such as to comply with a subpoena or court order.

Information provided on the FAFSA has not historically been used for immigration enforcement. Parent (or spouse) contributors are not asked about immigration status on the FAFSA; although, the FAFSA does request SSN information. It is possible that current or future administrations could seek access to this data for such purposes. Currently, there are no known policies or cases in which a parent or contributor has been subject to immigration enforcement as a result of submitting the FAFSA.

NASFAA understands feelings of concern or risk regarding data privacy. Please see our resource page, “FAFSA Information for Students from Families of Mixed Immigration Statuses” for additional information.