Savanna Hoffman
The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers a variety of funding opportunities for graduate students and recent PhD graduates, including internships, research projects, and fellowships. However, when it comes to DACA students, the eligibility for NSF funding becomes more complex. While NSF does not specifically mention DACA students in its eligibility criteria, the requirement for citizenship or permanent residency for certain programs indicates that DACA students may not be eligible for all opportunities. On the other hand, DACA students have access to alternative funding sources, such as private fellowships and scholarships specifically aimed at supporting “new Americans and promoting diversity in the sciences. These options provide financial support for DACA students pursuing graduate studies, including those in STEM fields.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NSF GRFP eligibility | Requires permanent residency |
| NDSEG eligibility | Requires citizenship or national status |
| NSF IRES program eligibility | Citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the US |
| NSF Research Traineeship Program eligibility | Citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the US |
| DACA student alternative funding sources | Golden Door Scholars, Google Lime Scholarship Program, La Unidad Latina Foundation, MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program, Ford Foundation, Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans |
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What You'll Learn
NSF eligibility for DACA students
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students are not eligible for some prestigious, higher-paying federal government fellowships, such as the NSF GRFP, which requires permanent residency. Similarly, the NDSEG fellowship, being funded by the military, requires citizenship or national status.
DACA students are still eligible for PhD funding in other ways. For example, if a university believes that a DACA student will be a good PhD student, they may be willing to pay them. DACA students are also eligible for teaching and research assistantships at many different public and private institutions across the United States.
In general, to be eligible for an NSF SEES Fellowship, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a proposal. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with any institution, but if they are selected, they must affiliate with the proposed institution to receive the award. The institution must be a university or college accredited in, and have a campus located in, the US. Alternatively, it can be a non-profit, non-academic organisation in the US that is associated with educational or research activities.
Current doctoral students may apply for an NSF SEES Fellowship, as long as they have received their PhD by the start date of the award. Current postdoctoral scholars may also apply, provided they received their PhD less than four years before the application deadline, unless an exception is approved.
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Alternative scholarships for DACA students
DACA (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) students are not eligible for federal funding in the US, although they may still be able to access state funding and grants, scholarships, and college loans. Some schools may also provide institutional funds for DACA students.
There are also alternative scholarships available for DACA students, such as those offered by TheDream.US, which provides support for undocumented students who cannot afford the cost of a college education. However, it is specified that they do not offer scholarships to undocumented students in California or Washington due to the availability of generous state and institutional aid.
Get Schooled provides a list of scholarships for DACA recipients and undocumented students, including:
- A scholarship for high school seniors with at least one parent of Hispanic heritage and a minimum 2.8 GPA.
- A scholarship for students attending a California high school for a minimum of three years who will enroll in an accredited California college or university.
- A scholarship for Asian American and Pacific Islander students seeking a college degree and with a track record of involvement in AAPI communities.
- A scholarship for immigrant students with or without DACA status who came to the US.
BestColleges also lists scholarships for DACA students, including:
- A scholarship for DACA students who have completed at least one year of college or trade school with a 3.0 GPA. The scholarship is worth up to $10,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years.
- A need-based scholarship for immigrant students or students with both parents born outside the US, from the District of Columbia metro area, Maryland, or Virginia.
- A scholarship for students enrolled or planning to enroll in a member school of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Students must demonstrate financial need.
Other scholarships include the Global Citizen Scholarship, which awards $8,000 to a non-US or Canadian citizen attending an MPOWER-eligible school, and the Islamic Scholarship Fund Media Scholarship, which awards up to $10,000 to undergraduate and graduate-level students.
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DACA students' PhD funding
As a DACA student, you may be eligible for PhD funding through various sources, although there are some restrictions on certain types of funding.
The most common kinds of funding for PhD students in the US are research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Typically, these types of funding do not have rules about citizenship status and can provide tuition coverage and a stipend for living expenses.
However, some prestigious, higher-paying fellowships offered by the federal government, such as the NSF GRFP and the NDSEG, require permanent residency or citizenship. These options would likely not be available to DACA students.
There are alternative funding opportunities specifically for undocumented or DACAmented graduate students, such as scholarships and fellowships curated by organisations like 'My Undocumented Life'. Additionally, some university departments offer guaranteed funding through the fifth year of a student's PhD, although it is not always clear if these opportunities are available to non-citizens.
It is important to note that funding options may depend on the specific field of study and the policies of the university. If a university believes you will be a valuable PhD student, they may be more willing to provide financial support.
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DACA students' employment rights
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that grants certain people who came to the United States as children the ability to request consideration for deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. If approved, they will be eligible for work authorization if they can demonstrate an economic necessity for employment.
DACA students are not eligible for some prestigious, higher-paying fellowships offered by the federal government, such as the NSF GRFP, which requires permanent residency. However, DACA students can still work like any other citizen and pay taxes accordingly. They are advised not to give their employer more information about their immigration status than is required. Once hired, the employer should not ask to see their work authorization again, and they are under no obligation to inform their employer if their work authorization expires.
DACA recipients and other workers can learn about their rights in the Form I-9 process and information on their rights in the E-Verify process. Employers are not allowed to run employees through E-Verify because they have DACA or because of assumptions or suspicions about employees' immigration status or national origin. Employers must accept documentation that reasonably appears to be genuine and related to the employee and cannot reject documents because of a future expiration date.
If a DACA recipient believes their employer is discriminating against them, they can contact the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) of the Department of Justice at 1-800-255-7688. The IER offers a mediation-type process to resolve disputes with employers, and if that fails, a formal complaint can be filed.
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DACA students' fellowship opportunities
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students may face challenges in finding fellowship opportunities due to their citizenship status. Some prestigious, federally funded fellowships, such as the NSF GRFP, require permanent residency or citizenship. However, there are still various organizations and companies that offer fellowships specifically for DACA students, providing critical professional training and career opportunities.
DACA students seeking fellowships should be prepared to submit the necessary documentation, such as an employment authorization card or I-9 form, to confirm their eligibility to work in the United States. Additionally, a resume, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a detailed description of professional experience and research may be required as part of the application process.
- The Environmental Fellows Program (EFP): This program seeks to support graduate students from underrepresented groups who are pursuing degrees with an environmental focus. It offers a 12-week, paid internship with partner philanthropic organizations.
- Govern For America (GFA) Fellowship: This 2-year paid fellowship is open to recent graduates, including DACA recipients, who want to serve in high-impact roles in governments across the country. Roles include data analyst, fiscal analyst, and program manager.
- Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP) Graduate Fellowship: This summer fellowship is hosted by the National Museum of the American Latino in partnership with various Smithsonian museums and centers.
- ProFellow Database: This online resource includes a wide range of funded opportunities for professional development and graduate school, including specific fellowships for DACA recipients and undocumented students.
- Golden Door Scholarship: Offered by Golden Door Scholars, an organization that provides scholarships and support for undocumented students, this scholarship includes career and fellowship support, mentorship, and community-building opportunities.
While some fellowships may have specific requirements or restrictions, there are numerous opportunities available for DACA students to pursue their educational and career goals. These fellowships not only provide financial support but also help students gain valuable professional experience and build essential skills for their future careers.
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Frequently asked questions
The NSF requires US citizenship or permanent residency for its scholarships and fellowships. Hence, DACA students are not eligible for NSF grants.
DACA students can consider scholarships such as the Golden Door Scholars, Google Lime Scholarship Program, and La Unidad Latina Foundation. They can also apply for the MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program and the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans.
Private fellowships often depend on DACA. The Ford Foundation and the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans are some of the few sources of funding for undocumented scientists pursuing advanced degrees.
