Daca Students: International Or Domestic? Understanding Their Status

Whether or not DACA students are considered international depends on the state and the institution's policies. DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a federal program for people who came to the US as children and meet specific eligibility requirements. While some states and institutions consider DACA recipients to be international students, others do not and may even provide in-state tuition and financial aid. It is important to note that DACA students do not need a separate visa to study, as DACA permits them to do so.

DACA students are not considered international students at USC

Whether or not DACA students are considered international students depends on the state or institution in question. DACA students are not considered international students at USC. USC's admission, enrollment, and tuition policies are not based on a student's immigration or DACA status. This means that a student's admission and enrollment will not be affected if they do not have or lose their immigration or DACA status.

DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a federal program for people who came to the US as children and meet several eligibility requirements. DACA recipients do not need a separate visa to study, as DACA permits them to do so. However, DACA does not provide lawful status.

USC offers various resources for undocumented and DACA students, including financial aid, legal consultations, and legal assistance. The USC Immigration Clinic, offered through the Gould School of Law, provides free and confidential consultations to the USC community. The clinic also offers free legal consultations and assistance to current students, staff, faculty, contract employees, and their family members. USC also has an Undergraduate Student Government website with resources and information for undocumented students and prospective students.

Additionally, USC advises DACA recipients traveling outside of the country to return to the US as soon as possible, due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the DACA program.

DACA students are considered international students in some states

Whether or not DACA students are considered international depends on the state or institution in question. DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a federal program for people who came to the US as children and meet several eligibility requirements. It provides a two-year deportation reprieve and allows applicants to apply for a work authorization permit, which is subject to renewal. However, it does not provide lawful status.

Some states and institutions consider DACA recipients to be international students, while others do not. For example, at the University of Southern California (USC), students with DACA or other undocumented statuses are not considered international students. However, other institutions may have different policies, and some states actively block access to in-state tuition or state financial aid for undocumented students, including DACA recipients.

The definition of an international student also varies. Some institutions define international students as those who hold specific types of visas, while others define them as those who are not state residents. This can further complicate the matter for DACA students, as their status may not be clear-cut.

It is important to note that even within a state, different institutions can have varying policies regarding the classification of DACA students. Therefore, it is crucial for DACA students to carefully review the policies of the specific institutions they are applying to, as well as the state laws, to understand how they will be classified and what implications this may have for their application process, tuition fees, and financial aid.

In summary, while there is no blanket rule, it is accurate to say that in some states and institutions, DACA students are indeed considered international students.

DACA students are not eligible for state financial aid in some states

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal program for people who came to the US as children and meet several eligibility requirements. DACA recipients are not considered international students, as they do not require a separate visa to study. However, their status as domestic or international students depends on their state's laws and the policies of the educational institution they plan to attend.

While DACA recipients are not considered international students, they may still face challenges when it comes to accessing state financial aid. In the United States, the availability of state financial aid for DACA students varies from state to state. While some states provide comprehensive access to state financial aid for DACA recipients, others do not.

As of 2020, 24 states and Washington, D.C., provided in-state tuition to undocumented students, including DACA recipients. Of these, 19 states and Washington, D.C., also offered access to state financial aid. This means that in these states, DACA students were eligible for the same financial aid opportunities as other state residents. However, it is important to note that this number has since decreased, as Florida has passed legislation eliminating access to in-state tuition for undocumented students.

On the other hand, nine states actively block access to in-state tuition for undocumented students, including DACA recipients. Additionally, four states restrict in-state tuition eligibility specifically to DACA recipients, and another four states offer in-state tuition to undocumented students at some but not all universities. This means that in these states, DACA students may not be eligible for the same financial aid opportunities as their peers.

The varying state policies on DACA students' access to financial aid can create a complex and challenging landscape for these students when it comes to financing their education. It is important for DACA students to research the specific policies and regulations in their state and the institutions they plan to attend to understand their options for financial aid and tuition assistance.

DACA students are eligible for in-state tuition in 24 states

Whether Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are considered international students depends on the state or institution they are applying to. DACA is a federal program for people who came to the US as children and meet several eligibility requirements. It provides a two-year deportation reprieve and applicants may apply for a work authorization permit, which is subject to renewal.

In terms of tuition fees, DACA recipients are considered state residents in 24 states and Washington, D.C., which means they are eligible for in-state tuition rates. These states provide access to state financial aid for DACA recipients, making higher education more affordable. However, it is important to note that each state and institution may have its own specific requirements and policies regarding DACA students. For example, in Washington, DACA recipients must have completed a full senior year of high school and lived in the state for at least three years to be eligible for in-state tuition.

In contrast, some states actively block access to in-state tuition for DACA recipients, and a few prohibit them from enrolling in public colleges altogether. The status of DACA students in terms of tuition fees can be quite complex, and it is always best to refer to the specific state and institutional policies.

It is worth noting that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is typically not available for DACA students, which can be a significant financial challenge. However, some states, like Connecticut, have passed laws to allow DACA students to apply for state financial aid, providing additional support for their educational pursuits.

DACA students do not need a separate visa

Whether a DACA recipient is considered an international student depends on the state and the institution's policies. However, DACA students do not need a separate visa, as their DACA status allows them to study in the US.

DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, is a federal program for individuals who entered the US as children and meet specific eligibility criteria. It provides a two-year deportation reprieve, and recipients may apply for work authorization, which can be renewed.

Undocumented students, including those with DACA status, are generally not considered international applicants. This is because they do not qualify for a visa and do not go through the standard international admission process. International students are typically defined as those holding specific visas, such as an F1 visa or other non-immigrant visas like the E2, H2, or L2.

Some states and institutions may have policies that impact DACA recipients' access to public colleges, in-state tuition rates, and financial aid. For example, four states restrict in-state tuition eligibility specifically to DACA recipients, while nine states actively block access to in-state tuition for undocumented students.

It is important to note that DACA does not provide lawful status, and each educational institution may have its own policies regarding the classification of DACA students. Therefore, while DACA students do not require a separate visa, their status as domestic or international students may vary depending on the state and institution they are applying to.

Frequently asked questions