Undocumented Students At Rutgers University: Counting The Uncounted

Rutgers University–Newark supports undocumented students in accessing higher education and provides them with the necessary resources to focus on their studies. The university offers various programs, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities for undocumented students. While the exact number of undocumented students at Rutgers University is not known, the institution is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals from all backgrounds. They provide dedicated staff for advocacy, resource referral, and social programming for undocumented students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, and Temporary Protective Status (TPS) recipients.

Rutgers University–Newark supports undocumented students

Rutgers University–Newark is committed to supporting undocumented students in accessing higher education. The university provides a range of resources and services to help undocumented students navigate the complexities of financial aid, admissions, career development, and overall wellness.

Undocumented students at Rutgers University–Newark can benefit from various programs, including the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application, which allows them to apply for state financial aid such as grants and scholarships. The university also offers the RU-N to the TOP program, which provides "last-dollar" financial aid scholarships to cover the cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees. Additionally, undocumented students are eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee and Garden State Guarantee, which offer tuition and fee coverage or discounts based on family income.

Rutgers University–Newark also partners with The Dream.US, a scholarship fund providing scholarships of up to $12,500 to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation expenses. The university further provides information on external scholarships, such as those offered by the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Golden Door Scholars, and MALDEF.

To support undocumented students' overall well-being, Rutgers University–Newark offers dedicated staff for advocacy, resource referral, and social programming. The university's Undocumented Student Services, housed under the Intercultural Resource Center, empowers undocumented/DACAmented students, mixed-status families, and allies to navigate higher education. The university also offers Undocu-Ally Trainings to keep the campus community informed about policies impacting undocumented students and how they can become allies.

Rutgers University–Newark is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment for students of all backgrounds, ensuring that they feel welcomed and supported throughout their college experience.

Undocumented Student Services

Rutgers University–Newark is committed to supporting undocumented students in accessing higher education. The university provides a range of services and resources to help undocumented students navigate the complexities of financial aid, admissions, career development, and overall wellness.

The Undocumented Student Services team, housed under the Intercultural Resource Center, is dedicated to empowering undocumented and DACAmented students, mixed-status families, and allies as they pursue higher education. The team offers support and guidance on various aspects of the college experience, including financial aid, admissions, and career development.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Undocumented students at Rutgers University–Newark can benefit from several financial aid programs and scholarship opportunities. The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows eligible undocumented students to apply for state financial aid, such as grants and scholarships. Additionally, the university has established the Rutgers University–Newark Talent and Opportunity Pathways (RU-N to the TOP) financial aid program, which provides a "last-dollar" scholarship to cover the cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees.

External Scholarships

There are also external scholarship opportunities available for undocumented students, such as those offered by the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Golden Door Scholars, and MALDEF. These scholarships aim to support undocumented students in pursuing their educational goals and range from $500 to $5,000 in value.

Support Services

Rutgers University–Newark offers dedicated support services for undocumented students, including advocacy, resource referral, and social programming. The university also has an Immigrant Rights Attorney available to provide legal assistance and protect students' privacy. Additionally, the Rutgers Immigration Community Assistance Project (RICAP) fosters a safe environment on campus and provides immigration legal services, community forums, and Know-Your-Rights training.

Undocu-Community

The university also has a student-led organization called Undocu Rutgers, which seeks to empower, assist, and advocate for undocumented students. They provide a sense of community and support for undocumented students throughout their college journey.

Financial aid and scholarships

Rutgers University–Newark offers a range of financial aid and scholarship opportunities for undocumented students. The university is committed to supporting undocumented students in accessing higher education and ensuring they feel welcomed and included.

Financial Aid

Undocumented students at Rutgers University–Newark are eligible for state financial aid and in-state tuition. The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows undocumented students in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid. The application process and eligibility criteria can be found on the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) website.

Scholarships

There are several scholarship opportunities available for undocumented students at Rutgers University–Newark:

• The Rutgers University–Newark Talent and Opportunity Program (RU-N to the TOP): This is a "last-dollar" scholarship that covers the remaining in-state tuition and mandatory school fees after all other scholarships and grants have been applied. Undocumented students are eligible if they qualify for in-state tuition under the New Jersey Dream Act, meet the student and income requirements, and either reside in Newark or hold an associate's degree from a community college.
• TheDream.US: Rutgers University–Newark has partnered with TheDream.US, a scholarship fund for DREAMers across the nation. The scholarship provides up to $12,500 per student and covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation expenses. To be eligible, students must meet TheDream.US criteria and enrol full-time.
• The Scarlet Guarantee and Garden State Guarantee: These guarantees are financial aid programs that reduce the out-of-pocket costs for students and limit the amount of debt that New Jersey residents must borrow to attend an in-state, public college or university. The Scarlet Guarantee is for first-year students and sophomores, while the Garden State Guarantee is for juniors and seniors. Undocumented students are eligible if they have completed a HESAA Application and meet certain criteria, such as adjusted gross income (AGI) requirements.
• Hispanic Scholarship Foundation: The foundation awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate students, and community college transfers. This opportunity is open to undocumented students with DACA.
• Golden Door Scholars: This organisation provides scholarships for DACA and undocumented students. While high school seniors or recent graduates may qualify, preference is given to high school graduates from states that require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition.

In addition to these opportunities, undocumented students at Rutgers University–Newark can also explore external scholarships and resources beyond the university, such as those offered by organisations like MALDEF, Pre-Health Dreamers, and Educators for Fair Consideration.

Rutgers resources for undocumented students

Rutgers University–Newark (RU–N) is committed to ensuring that it remains a place not just welcoming to, but inclusive and fully nurturing of, people of all backgrounds. RU–N reaffirms the university’s commitment to remaining a safe space for all to learn.

Undocumented Student Services

Undocumented Student Services, housed under the Intercultural Resource Center, strives to empower all undocumented/DACAmented students, mixed-status families, and allies to navigate higher education. Undocumented Student Services supports students through the complexity of financial aid, admissions, career development, and holistic wellness, while being an undocumented immigrant. If you are an undocumented student or a child of an undocumented immigrant, you are welcome at Rutgers University–Newark.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Rutgers University–Newark supports undocumented students in accessing higher education. There are scholarship opportunities for undocumented students, as well as merit-based aid. Students seeking financial support for the USCIS filing fee should reach out to RICAP for assistance locating emergency funds.

Undocu-Ally Training

To keep the RU-N community and Campus Partners up to date on current and future policies on a local, state, and federal level, Undocu-Ally Trainings are offered each academic semester. During these trainings, individuals become aware of the realities faced by the undocumented community and how they can become an ally to students within their roles.

Undocu-Ambassadors

Undocu-Ambassadors are current undergraduate students who provide support and guidance to those connected to the undocumented community. In their role, they ensure the visibility of the USS office on campus by informing the RU-N campus, with a focus on the student population, of the resources and peer-to-peer support offered to succeed academically and personally while at Rutgers University-Newark.

Undocu-Graduation

Celebrated annually in May, the Undocu-Graduation ceremony recognizes the hard work and resiliency of graduating seniors. During the ceremony, a special individual is chosen by the USS Undocu-Graduation planning committee to receive the Nancy Cantor Trailblazer Award for their progressive and impactful contributions to the undocumented community.

Undocu-Talks

Hosted once a month, Undocu-Talks provides an opportunity for students to join in relevant social and cultural discussions about the issues important to undocumented and mixed-status students. Undocu-Talks are led by Undocu-Ambassadors with the objective to raise awareness, support, and create a sense of connectedness.

Undocu-Welcome Reception

Held during the Fall and Spring semesters, the Undocu-Welcome reception allows undocumented students to meet their peers, along with RU-N staff, faculty, and community partners as their allies, providing resources of support, campus involvement, and leadership development.

Further Resources

For more information, contact the Office of Undocumented Student Services at undocu.services@newark.rutgers.edu or the RICAP Immigrant Rights Attorney, Jason Hernandez, at RICAP-Info@law.rutgers.edu or 856-225-2302.

Support for undocumented students

Rutgers University–Newark (RU–N) is committed to ensuring that it remains a place not just open to, but inclusive and fully nurturing of, people of all backgrounds. RU–N strives to empower undocumented/DACAmented students, mixed-status families, and allies to navigate higher education. The university offers a dedicated staff member for advocacy, resource referral, and social programming for undocumented students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, and Temporary Protective Status (TPS) recipients.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows undocumented students in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid (grants and scholarships). Undocumented students are also eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee & Garden State Guarantee if they completed a HESAA Application and meet the criteria. The Scarlet Guarantee is for first-year students and sophomores, while the Garden State Guarantee is for juniors and seniors. Undocumented students can also take advantage of several external scholarship opportunities, including:

• The Hispanic Scholarship Foundation: Scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 are available for undocumented students with DACA.
• Golden Door Scholars: Scholarships for DACA students and undocumented students. Preference is given to high school graduates from states that require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition.
• MALDEF: A civil rights organization that offers a Scholarship Resource Guide for high school, college, graduate, and law students.
• The Dream.US: A scholarship fund for DREAMers across the nation.

Undocumented Student Services

Undocumented Student Services, housed under the Intercultural Resource Center, supports students through the complexity of financial aid, admissions, career development, and holistic wellness. Undocu-Ally Trainings are offered each academic semester to keep the RU-N community and Campus Partners up to date on current and future policies. Undocu-Ambassadors are current undergraduate students who provide support and guidance to those connected to the undocumented community. The Undocu-Graduation ceremony recognizes the hard work and resiliency of graduating undocumented seniors. Undocu-Talks provide an opportunity for students to join relevant social and cultural discussions, while the Undocu-Welcome reception allows undocumented students to meet their peers, along with RU-N staff, faculty, and community partners.

Rutgers Immigrant Community Assistance Project (RICAP)

RICAP strives to foster a safe environment on campus and remove barriers to student success by providing immigration legal services. RICAP hosts community forums, informational immigration presentations, and Know-Your-Rights training on all Rutgers campuses. All consultations are confidential and at no cost.

Frequently asked questions