How do undocumented students pay for college

The Resources section on this page links to a list of scholarships that may be available to undocumented students. Private institutions set their own financial aid policies. Some are willing to give scholarships and other aid to undocumented students. Legally, K—12 school personnel cannot inquire about the immigration status of students or their parents.

Therefore, you may learn that a student is undocumented only if the student chooses to share this information. Undocumented students may not even be aware of their legal status.

The National Immigration Law Center tracks activities related to state funding of higher education for undocumented students. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund supplies a list of scholarships available to all students regardless of immigration status. Education Professionals. Advising Undocumented Students.

Higher education obstacles and possibilities There are an estimated 65, undocumented students — children born abroad who are not U. College admission policies Undocumented students may incorrectly assume that they cannot legally attend college in the United States. They also cannot participate in federally funded work-study programs. Most states follow this rule as well. That said, a handful of states like California and Minnesota do offer state financial aid for undocumented and DACA students.

Additionally, some private companies and nonprofit groups offer scholarships for undocumented and DACA students. The protections offered by this legislation would simplify the process of attending college and earning financial aid for many undocumented and DACA students. Finding legal support to help you as you apply for and enroll in college does not need to cost exorbitant fees. Several organizations offer low-cost services and free legal resources to help undocumented and DACA students make sense of their status and rights.

The National Immigration Services Directory also offers a list of inexpensive legal services across the country. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program offers two years of protection for undocumented individuals who arrived in the U.

Although this serves as a temporary solution, DACA beneficiaries can renew their status before it expires. The program is intended to provide individuals with deferred deportation. I really only found out about my status during my junior year of high school when all my friends were getting their license and I wanted to get mine as well.

I also wanted to have the typical teenage life like my friends and get a summer job and drive myself to school. However, I found out that I was undocumented and could not do many things. Through research, I also found out that I was not going to be able to afford college whatsoever and that is when it really dawned on me that maybe the desire I had to go out of state for college was not the smartest.

I knew a four-year institution was going to be financially draining on my family so I decided to look more into community colleges while also applying to four-year colleges to broaden and weigh out my options. As an undocumented or DACA student, your campus life may be a little different from those of your peers. Navigating college can be tough, but following the tips below can help you have a fulfilling experience.

Attending college as an undocumented or DACA student can feeling isolating, especially if it seems like nobody else understands your experience. The amended law ended the awarding of state financial aid to undocumented students. Supporters of in-state tuition for undocumented students make the following arguments:. Opponents of in-state tuition for undocumented students make the following arguments:. Create Account. Undocumented Student Tuition: Overview.

This website uses cookies to analyze traffic and for other purposes. You consent to the use of cookies if you use this website. Secondly, many schools — especially public schools in states that disqualify undocumented students from paying in-state tuition rates — may choose to reject applications from undocumented immigrants. Undocumented students must look for institutions deemed "sanctuary schools" rather than choosing a school based on academic considerations alone.

Although DACA allows undocumented immigrants to legally attend college , the program's legal ambiguity leaves many students in a perpetuate a state of anxiety.

The threat of deportation may disincentivize colleges from admitting undocumented students and make the students themselves worry about the feasibility of finishing their degrees. Under that rule, undocumented students attending colleges that treat them as international students suddenly faced the possibility of having to stop their studies. While that rule was repealed, ICE could instate another one unexpectedly at any time. Other legal issues further affect undocumented immigrants' access to college, many of them exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.

For example, the CARES act, which has kept many students afloat, excludes undocumented students from receiving emergency aid. As a result, those students will find it much harder to remain in school throughout the crisis. Undocumented students should keep a few considerations in mind when choosing colleges.

Most importantly, remember that different states have different policies towards undocumented college students, and not all colleges support undocumented learners equally. When evaluating schools, give preference to the institutions and states that are most accepting of your undocumented status. When shopping for a college or university, undocumented immigrants must carefully consider state policies, which can affect how much they pay for college, whether they can access state financial aid, and even whether they may attend a public college at all.

Virginia, for example, will grant in-state tuition rates for undocumented students with DACA status, but not for those without. Eighteen states currently allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates based on recommendations made by state legislation, while other states allow their Boards of Regents to set those guidelines. In both cases, an undocumented student must hold a high school diploma or GED certificate to qualify for in-state tuition.

Six states, including California, Washington, and Oregon, allow undocumented students to access state financial aid. While they still lack access to federal aid, this provision makes it easier for undocumented students to pay for college.