Undocumented Students

Financial Aid and Undocumented Students

Undocumented students are students who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or “eligible non-citizens" for financial aid purposes. Undocumented students may be referred to "Dreamers". This term generally refers to undocumented youths who have lived in the United States from a very young age. A subset of this group of students may also be referred to as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

Below you may learn about student financial aid for undocumented students.

General Information

1. What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?

is the name used of a process announced by the Secretary of Homeland Security on June 15, 2012. Under this process, if you came to the United States as a child and meet several key guidelines, you may contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security, to request consideration of deferred action. “Deferred action” refers to a decision to defer (delay or put off) removal action of an individual. DACA may be granted by USCIS for a period of two years and may be renewed under certain circumstances. Deferred action does not provide an individual with lawful status; however, recipients of deferred action may obtain work authorization.

2. Who is a DACA student?

A DACA student has received deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process. Most DACA students are also granted work authorization; and if a student has work authorization, the student may be eligible to obtain a Social Security number. Thus, if a DACA student is granted deferred action and employment authorization, the student may be eligible for a Social Security number.

Eligibility for Financial Aid

1. As an undocumented or DACA student, am I eligible for federal student aid?

No. Undocumented students, including DACA students and Dreamers, are not eligible for federal student aid. However, you may be eligible for state or college financial aid. Most states and colleges use information collected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine whether you are eligible for aid. If you have a Social Security number, you may complete the FAFSA, and we encourage you to do so at fafsa.gov. However, we first recommend that you check with your high school counselor or your college or career school financial aid office to see what types of financial aid you may be eligible to receive and whether completing the FAFSA is the way to apply for that aid.

2. As an undocumented or DACA student, am I eligible for in-state tuition?

It depends. In some states, undocumented students, or specifically DACA students, are eligible to receive in-state tuition. At 51�Թ�� an undocumented or DACA student would not be eligible for in-state tuition.