Undocumented Students: University Tuition Support And Access

In the United States, undocumented students face significant financial barriers to accessing higher education. While federal financial aid is not available to them, some states have introduced tuition equity laws or policies, enabling undocumented students to pay in-state tuition fees and access state financial aid. As of 2025, 25 states and the District of Columbia have implemented such measures, with a further four states offering in-state tuition at some universities. These laws aim to support ambitious and academically focused students, who often only discover their immigration status will hinder their college plans when they are already in the application process.

Tuition equity laws and their impact

Tuition equity laws are policies that allow students who meet certain criteria to pay the same tuition fees as their "in-state" classmates at public institutions of higher education, regardless of their immigration status. As of 2025, 25 states and the District of Columbia have adopted such laws. These states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

The impact of these laws has been positive, with benefits for both the students and the states that implement them. Tuition equity laws help young people who were brought to the U.S. by their parents and have worked hard in school but face obstacles in pursuing higher education due to their undocumented status. These laws ensure that undocumented students are not denied admission or charged higher out-of-state tuition rates, which can be several times the in-state rate.

In addition to helping undocumented students, tuition equity laws have also been shown to benefit U.S. citizens and immigrants of all statuses. Experience in states with these laws suggests that they help reduce high school dropout rates, increase the number of graduates pursuing a college degree, raise student incomes and tax contributions, and provide various other economic and social benefits.

The cost of implementing tuition equity laws has been reported as negligible by experts. In-state tuition is not free tuition but a discount, and the additional revenue from these students often increases school revenues. Educating all young people, including undocumented immigrants, is crucial for addressing demographic challenges and ensuring economic growth. As the baby boomer population ages, educating and attracting well-educated workers will be essential for states' economic future.

States that offer in-state tuition and financial aid

In the United States, 25 states and Washington, D.C. provide in-state tuition to undocumented students. Of these, 19 states and D.C. also offer state financial aid. Here is a list of the states that offer both in-state tuition and financial aid, along with some details about their requirements and provisions:

• California: Undocumented individuals can pay in-state tuition if they attended a California high school for three or more years and graduated or obtained its equivalent. They must file an affidavit stating they have applied or will apply for legal immigration status. California also allows undocumented students to receive financial aid, although the application process is reportedly complex.
• Colorado: The Advancing Students for a Stronger Tomorrow (ASSET) law grants in-state tuition to students who attended a Colorado high school for at least a year before graduating or were "physically present" in the state for at least a year before taking a high school equivalency exam. The ASSET law was amended in 2022 to remove the requirement that students get admitted to college within a year of graduating high school. In 2019, the law was updated to allow state financial aid for undocumented students.
• Connecticut: In-state tuition is available to undocumented students who have attended a minimum of two years of high school in Connecticut and file an affidavit stating they have applied or will apply for legal immigration status. A 2018 law allows them to apply for state financial aid.
• District of Columbia: Act 21-650 allows undocumented students to apply for in-state tuition and financial aid if they meet the criteria necessary under the act.
• Hawaii: Undocumented students must live in Hawaii for 12 months, graduate from a US high school, and file for DACA, legal immigration status, or an affidavit stating they will do so. They can receive state financial aid if they meet Hawaii residency requirements.
• Illinois: Undocumented students who lived with their parents or guardians while attending an Illinois high school for three years and sign an affidavit stating they will apply for permanent residency as soon as possible are eligible for in-state tuition. A state law from 2009 allows them to receive state financial aid.
• Maryland: Undocumented students must attend a Maryland high school, register for college within six years of graduating high school, provide documentation that their parents or guardians have filed Maryland income tax returns for three years, and sign an affidavit stating they will apply for permanent residency within 30 days of becoming eligible. Maryland extended eligibility for state financial aid to undocumented students in 2018.
• Massachusetts: The state recently began offering in-state tuition to undocumented students who attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years. This change is expected to benefit the state's economy, as these students will generate up to $3.5 million in revenue for public colleges and universities.
• Minnesota: In addition to in-state tuition, undocumented students in Minnesota can participate in the state's tuition-free college program, which is available to both undocumented immigrants and citizens. The state also offers state financial aid.
• Nevada: Senate Bill 347 grants in-state tuition and state financial aid to undocumented students who graduated from a Nevada high school, regardless of whether they are "bona fide" residents. A law that went into effect on July 1, 2023, expanded in-state tuition access to those who have lived in the state for one year.
• New Jersey: Undocumented students can receive in-state tuition if they attended high school in New Jersey for three or more years and file an affidavit stating they will apply for legal status when allowed. They became eligible for state financial aid in 2018.
• New Mexico: The state offers in-state tuition and state financial aid, which covers all tuition costs for New Mexico undergraduates at public higher education institutions.
• New York: New York residents are eligible for in-state tuition at all City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) institutions regardless of immigration status. Undocumented students can receive in-state tuition if they attended at least two years of high school in the state, apply to a higher education institution within five years of receiving their diploma, show proof of New York residency, and file an affidavit stating they will apply for legal status. They can access state financial aid thanks to a law signed in 2019.
• Oregon: Undocumented students can receive in-state tuition if they attend primary or secondary school in the US for five years before receiving a diploma (or its equivalent) in Oregon, or if they attend an Oregon primary or secondary school for at least three years and show they intend to become a citizen or permanent resident. Certain refugees and those with a Special Immigrant Visa can also receive in-state tuition for undergraduate or graduate programs.
• Rhode Island: Undocumented students must attend a Rhode Island high school for three years, continue living in the state, and file an affidavit stating they have applied or will apply for legal immigration status to be eligible for in-state tuition. A policy allowing this was amended by the Board of Governors for Higher Education in 2011 and made into law in 2021.
• Texas: Undocumented students who live in Texas for at least three years after graduating from high school or obtaining its equivalent, and who sign an affidavit stating they will apply for permanent residency, are eligible for in-state tuition.
• Utah: A 2002 bill grants in-state tuition to undocumented students who attend a Utah high school for three or more years and file an affidavit stating they will apply for legal immigration status. The state also offers the Access Utah Promise Scholarship, which consolidates various scholarship programs.
• Virginia: Certain undocumented students can receive in-state tuition if they attend high school in Virginia for two years or submit evidence that they have a parent or guardian who has filed state income tax returns for at least two years. This was expanded to include state financial aid in February 2021.
• Washington: All undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition if they complete their last year of high school in Washington, live in the state for at least three years after receiving their diploma, continue living in Washington, and file an affidavit stating they qualify for resident tuition and will seek legal permanent residency. They can receive state financial aid if they are DACA recipients who meet certain requirements.

States that offer in-state tuition but not financial aid

Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have adopted "tuition equity" laws or policies that allow undocumented students to pay the same in-state tuition fees as their classmates at public institutions of higher education, regardless of their immigration status. These states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

However, not all of these states provide financial aid to undocumented students. Here are the states that offer in-state tuition but not financial aid to undocumented students:

Florida

Florida offers in-state tuition to undocumented students who meet specific requirements, such as attending a Florida secondary school for three consecutive years before graduation and enrolling in a public state higher education institution within 24 months of graduating. However, students who qualify for in-state tuition under these conditions are not allowed to receive state financial aid.

Kansas

Kansas allows undocumented students who have attended a Kansas high school for more than three years and have filed an affidavit stating that they or their parents have applied to legalize their immigration status to pay in-state tuition. However, state financial aid is not available to these students.

Kentucky

Undocumented students in Kentucky can benefit from in-state tuition rates if they meet specific requirements. However, they are not provided with state financial aid.

Nebraska

In Nebraska, undocumented students can qualify for in-state tuition if they reside with a parent, guardian, or conservator while attending a Nebraska high school for at least three years before graduation and submit an affidavit stating that they will apply for permanent resident status. Nebraska does not offer state financial aid to these students.

While these states offer in-state tuition to undocumented students, they do not provide financial aid, creating a financial burden for these students pursuing higher education. It's important to note that the policies and requirements may vary over time, and it is always advisable to refer to the official sources for the most up-to-date information.

States that offer neither in-state tuition nor financial aid

In the United States, undocumented students face various legal and financial barriers to higher education. While there is no federal or state law prohibiting the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S. colleges, institutional policies on admitting undocumented students vary. Some colleges may require applicants to submit proof of citizenship or legal residency and refuse admission to those without documentation.

Undocumented students are often treated as foreign students by public institutions, making them ineligible for state aid and in-state tuition rates. This means they are charged out-of-state tuition fees, even if they have been long-term residents of the state, which can put college out of their financial reach.

While some states have passed laws permitting undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates under certain conditions, and 16 states offer state financial aid to students regardless of their immigration status, there are still states that offer neither in-state tuition nor financial aid to undocumented students.

• Alabama: Alabama does not provide in-state tuition or financial aid to undocumented students. Undocumented students are not eligible for state-funded scholarships or grants, and they are required to pay out-of-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.
• Georgia: Georgia does not offer in-state tuition or financial aid to undocumented students. Undocumented students are classified as international students and are not eligible for state financial aid or resident tuition rates.
• Idaho: Idaho does not provide in-state tuition or financial aid to undocumented students. Undocumented students are not eligible for state scholarships or grants, and they must pay out-of-state tuition rates.
• Indiana: Indiana does not offer in-state tuition or financial aid to undocumented students. Undocumented students are ineligible for state financial aid and must pay non-resident tuition rates.
• Iowa: Iowa does not provide in-state tuition or financial aid to undocumented students. Undocumented students cannot receive state scholarships or grants, and they must pay out-of-state tuition rates.

These states have policies or a lack of specific policies that create significant barriers for undocumented students seeking higher education. It is important to note that the landscape of policies regarding undocumented students is constantly evolving, and some states are actively working towards implementing more inclusive measures.

Scholarships for undocumented students

Scholarships are a great way for undocumented students to help pay for college. While undocumented students do not have access to federal aid and have limited access to state aid, there are still many scholarships available to them.

TheDream.US Scholarships

TheDream.US offers two scholarships for undocumented students: the National Scholarship and the Opportunity Scholarship. The National Scholarship is for students eligible for in-state tuition at one of their 80 partner colleges. The scholarship is for up to $16,500 for an associate's degree and $33,000 for a bachelor's degree. The Opportunity Scholarship is for students who live in targeted, locked-out states where they cannot get in-state tuition. This scholarship is for up to $100,000 to cover tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and meals for a bachelor's degree.

Immigrants Rising Scholarships

Immigrants Rising has curated a list of scholarships and fellowships that don't require proof of U.S. citizenship. The list includes general application eligibility requirements such as education level, region/state, and immigration status.

Sallie Mae Scholarships

Sallie Mae offers a $2,000 scholarship for undocumented students that can be applied for in minutes. They also provide a list of other scholarships for undocumented students, such as the ASHRAE High School Senior Scholarship, the Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity, and the Vipin Agrawal Memorial Scholarship.

State-Specific Scholarships

In addition to the above scholarships, there are also many state-specific scholarships and financial aid opportunities for undocumented students. For example, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington all offer some form of financial aid or scholarships to undocumented students who meet certain criteria.

It is important to note that eligibility requirements for scholarships may vary, so it is always a good idea to check the specific requirements before applying. Additionally, undocumented students can also look for scholarships offered by organizations related to their field of interest, local libraries or businesses, or their high school guidance office.

Frequently asked questions