Undocumented Students: Can They Enroll At Brown University?

Brown University welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds, including those who are undocumented or hold DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. The university considers undocumented and DACA students as domestic applicants and are therefore eligible for need-blind admission. Brown will review first-time, first-year undergraduate applicants who are undocumented or hold DACA status and graduated from a U.S. high school in the same way as U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Brown University's financial aid for undocumented students

Brown University welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds, including those who are undocumented or hold DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. The university meets 100% of each student's demonstrated financial need with scholarship and grant aid. This means that Brown provides financial aid packages that do not include loans and must be repaid.

The Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income (U-FLi) Student Center is the main hub for students who identify with the undocumented, first-generation college, and/or low-income student experience. The U-FLi Center provides holistic advising and leadership development support for undocumented students at Brown University. It also offers learning opportunities for the campus community to elevate their knowledge on issues of migration. The U-FLi Center is housed within the Division of Campus Life at Brown and seeks to create alternative pathways for holistic student success through intentional relationship building, shared learning, and collective action towards economic and immigrant justice.

Undocumented or DACA transfer students interested in receiving need-based financial aid from Brown must indicate their interest in financial aid as part of their admission application. If an undocumented or DACA student is admitted to Brown and is determined to have demonstrated financial aid need, Brown will award the student with financial aid funds to meet this need. These funds may include university need-based scholarships, campus employment, and, if appropriate, an institutional loan.

Brown's commitment to affordability and financial aid is one of the university's highest priorities. The university actively strives to create a socioeconomically diverse applicant pool and undergraduate student body.

Brown's admission policy for undocumented students

Brown University welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds, including those who are undocumented or hold DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. The university will review first-time, first-year undergraduate applicants with undocumented or DACA status who have graduated from a US high school in the same way as US citizens or permanent residents.

Brown considers undocumented and DACA students as domestic applicants and are therefore eligible for need-blind admission. The university meets 100% of every admitted student's demonstrated financial needs with scholarship and grant aid. For instructions on applying for financial aid as an undocumented or DACA first-year applicant, prospective students can refer to the Financial Aid website.

The Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income (U-FLi) Student Center is the main hub for students who identify with the undocumented, first-generation college, and/or low-income student experience. The U-FLi Center staff hosts events throughout the year and collaborates with other centres to host intersectional programs. The Undocumented Student Program (USP) of the U-FLi Center provides holistic advising and leadership development support for undocumented students at Brown University. The USP also provides learning opportunities for the campus community to elevate their knowledge on issues of migration.

Support services for undocumented students at Brown

Brown University welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds, including those who are undocumented or hold DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. The university provides support services for undocumented students through the Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income (U-FLi) Student Center.

The U-FLi Center is a communal, learning, and advocacy center that caters to the needs of undocumented, first-generation college, and/or low-income students at Brown University. The center provides a dedicated space that affirms the intersectional identities and lived experiences of these students, contributing to their well-being and success. It seeks to create alternative pathways for holistic student success through intentional relationship building, shared learning, and collective action towards economic and immigrant justice.

The Undocumented Student Program (USP) of the U-FLi Center is specifically designed to support undocumented students. The USP provides holistic advising and leadership development support for undocumented students. It also offers learning opportunities for the broader campus community to raise awareness and understanding of migration issues. The USP is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment that values the unique assets that undocumented students bring to the campus.

The U-FLi Center staff organizes events and programs throughout the year, often in collaboration with other centers such as the Brown Center for Students of Color, the Global Center for International Students, the LGBTQ Center, and the Sarah Doyle Center for Women and Gender. These events and programs provide opportunities for undocumented students to connect with others who share similar backgrounds and experiences.

Additionally, undocumented students at Brown University are encouraged to explore the Open Curriculum and join any of the 500+ student organizations on campus to enrich their overall university experience.

Undocumented students' legal rights at Brown

Brown University welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds, including those who are undocumented or hold DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. The university considers undocumented and DACA students as domestic applicants and reviews their applications in the same way as US citizens or permanent residents.

Financial Aid

Brown meets 100% of every admitted student's demonstrated financial need with scholarship and grant aid. Undocumented and DACA students are eligible for need-blind admission and can apply for financial aid. To determine eligibility, students must submit all required financial aid application materials by the appropriate deadline.

Support Services

Brown offers support services for undocumented students through the Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income (U-FLi) Student Center. The U-FLi Center provides holistic advising and leadership development support, as well as learning opportunities for the campus community to raise awareness about migration issues. The Brown Immigrant Rights Coalition (BIRC) is another student organization that serves as a community for students interested in immigration-related issues, including those who are undocumented, have DACA status, or come from mixed-status families.

Legal Support

The university supports students' access to legal consultation and will cover the costs of the application fee and related attorney consultation for DACA renewal. Students are encouraged to choose an attorney they trust, and funding is available for an initial consultation with an outside attorney.

Health and Wellness

Brown has enhanced its Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) resources, including increasing the diversity of health professionals to support the well-being of students affected by changes in immigration policies and the resulting uncertainty. Undocumented and DACA students can contact the U-FLi Center Program Director for a specific point of contact within CAPS.

Law Enforcement and Immigration Status

Brown's Department of Public Safety does not inquire about or act upon information related to immigration status, nor does it partner with federal or state agencies to do so. If immigration authorities are on campus or a member of the Brown community is detained off-campus due to immigration status, the Department of Public Safety should be contacted immediately.

Medical school applications for undocumented students

Undocumented students face many challenges when applying to medical schools in the US. However, some universities, such as Brown University, are committed to supporting undocumented students and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds, including those who are undocumented or hold DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status.

The University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, for example, considers applications from undocumented applicants under the same admissions standards as any other applicant. They welcome and support all students, regardless of immigration status, ethnicity, or nationality. Similarly, Brown University reviews first-time, first-year undergraduate applicants who are undocumented or have DACA status in the same way as US citizens or permanent residents.

Financial Aid

One of the biggest challenges for undocumented students is financial aid. While Brown University meets 100% of every admitted student's demonstrated financial need with scholarships and grants, it is important to note that undocumented students are often not eligible for funding from federal sources. At the University of California, undocumented graduate students who do not have AB 540 status cannot receive institutional fellowships and must rely on private loans, scholarships, or fellowships from non-university entities. However, those with DACA and AB 540 status may qualify for in-state tuition and financial assistance.

Additional Resources

Undocumented students can refer to guides such as the "Frequently Asked Q&A: Medical School for Pre-Med Undocumented Students Across the Nation" by Pre-Health Dreamers, which provides valuable information on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), application timelines, processes, and institutional policies.

Support and Advocacy

To support undocumented students, Brown University has established the Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income (U-FLi) Student Center. This center provides holistic advising and leadership development support, as well as learning opportunities for the campus community to raise awareness about migration issues. The U-FLi Center aims to create an inclusive environment that validates the unique assets that undocumented students bring to the campus.

Recommendations for Undocumented Applicants

Undocumented students interested in applying to medical school should be aware of the specific requirements and restrictions that may apply due to their citizenship status. While there are no restrictions on attending public graduate or professional schools in California, there may be limitations on certain curricular experiences, such as clinical rotations at specific training sites. Additionally, licensure requirements vary by state, and students should research the applicable rules and regulations in the states where they plan to apply for residency training or practice.

Frequently asked questions