Janice Lozano
Undocumented students, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, face legal and practical barriers to pursuing higher education in the United States. While no federal or state laws prohibit undocumented students from attending college, they are ineligible for federal financial aid and may be disqualified from paying in-state tuition rates, limiting their college options. However, many colleges and universities accept undocumented students and offer them in-state tuition and financial aid packages. These institutions may consider undocumented students as domestic students, increasing their likelihood of receiving financial aid. Additionally, some states allow undocumented students to receive state-level financial aid and in-state tuition rates. To navigate the college application process, undocumented students can utilize resources such as college match quizzes and the Higher Ed Immigration Portal to find institutions that align with their criteria and support their specific needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colleges that accept undocumented students | The George Washington University, Hispanic-serving colleges and universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), faith-based institutions, and more |
| Requirements for application | Common Application, official high school transcript, letters of recommendation, test scores, English proficiency exams, and financial certificates (requirements vary depending on the college) |
| Financial aid options | State financial aid (in some states), institutional aid, private scholarships, grants, student loans, student employment funding, merit-based scholarships |
| Tuition rates | In-state tuition rates offered in some states and institutions |
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What You'll Learn
Undocumented students can attend college in the US
Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but they may qualify for state financial aid in some states, including California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. They may also be eligible for in-state tuition at public institutions in some states and the District of Columbia. Many colleges consider undocumented students to be international students, which means they compete with other international students for a limited pool of financial aid. However, when a college considers an undocumented student to be domestic, they are more likely to receive a good financial aid package.
Undocumented students can also receive financial aid directly from their college or university, especially if they attend a private institution. Some colleges offer undocumented students in-state tuition and financial aid. For example, The George Washington University (GW) invites applications from all students, regardless of citizenship and immigrant status, and provides aid to highly qualified applicants, regardless of immigration/citizenship status, in the form of merit scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 per academic year.
Hispanic-serving colleges and universities often sympathize the most with issues faced by undocumented immigrants, especially those from Latin America, and undocumented immigrants from Latin America often feel more supported and culturally at ease at these schools than elsewhere. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and faith-based institutions also often advocate for undocumented students, and undocumented students can expect an inclusive atmosphere and opportunities to access scholarships tailored to their needs at these institutions.
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Financial aid options for undocumented students
Undocumented students in the United States face 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, they are not eligible for federal financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, or work-study money.
However, as of March 2025, 24 states and Washington, D.C., provide in-state tuition to undocumented students, and 19 of those states, along with D.C., also offer access to state financial aid. These states include California, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Nevada, and Washington. For instance, in Virginia, undocumented students can apply for the Virginia Alternative State Aid, and in Maryland, they can apply for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship.
Some states have passed laws permitting undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates under certain conditions, and some private scholarship funds and foundations do not require applicants to be U.S. citizens or legal residents. Additionally, some universities are willing to provide scholarships and other aid to undocumented students. Platforms like Bigfuture Collegeboard and FinAid offer resources for exploring scholarship opportunities.
It is important to note that policies regarding access to financial aid for undocumented students are subject to change, and counselors should stay updated on their state's laws. While undocumented students cannot legally receive federally funded aid, they may still have options for institutional or private scholarships, as well as state aid in certain jurisdictions.
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Colleges that offer in-state tuition for undocumented students
As an undocumented student, you have a wide range of colleges to choose from that not only accept undocumented students but also offer them in-state tuition and financial aid.
In-state tuition for undocumented students
In some states and the District of Columbia, undocumented students qualify for in-state tuition at public institutions. As of 2021, the following states allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition: California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Financial aid for undocumented students
Undocumented students, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, they may be eligible for state financial aid in some states. Some states that offer state-level financial aid to undocumented students include California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Colleges that offer in-state tuition and financial aid
While the above information provides a general overview of states that offer in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented students, it is important to note that specific colleges within these states may have their own policies and aid packages for undocumented students. Here are some examples of colleges that have demonstrated a commitment to supporting undocumented students:
- The George Washington University (GW): GW invites applications from all students, regardless of citizenship and immigrant status. They offer merit-based scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 per academic year to highly qualified applicants, regardless of their immigration/citizenship status. Additionally, GW provides additional funding to a limited number of undocumented and DACA students to meet their financial needs.
- Colleges listed on the College Greenlight website: College Greenlight has a list of more than 30 colleges that meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undocumented students. These colleges pledge to meet students' full needs through grants, student employment, scholarships, and, in some cases, student loans.
Additional considerations
It is important to note that each college has its own application process and requirements for undocumented students. For example, while some colleges may require undocumented students to submit the CSS Profile to assess their financial situation, others may have their own unique financial aid applications. Additionally, undocumented students may not be required to submit English proficiency exam scores or financial certificates, but they should carefully review the admissions requirements for each college they are applying to.
State policies and legal considerations
While federal law does not prohibit states from providing in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, there are legal considerations at play. Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) prohibits states from providing higher education benefits based on residence to undocumented immigrants unless they provide the same benefit to U.S. citizens in similar circumstances. As a result, some states actively bar access to in-state tuition or state financial aid for undocumented students, while others may restrict eligibility to DACA recipients only.
Encouraging higher education for undocumented students
Advocates for expanded access to higher education emphasize the benefits of providing opportunities for undocumented students. They argue that education quickly pays for itself, benefiting not only the students but also society as a whole. Additionally, with the serious demographic challenges posed by an aging population, young immigrants can play a key role in increasing tax contributions and attracting employers seeking well-educated workers.
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Application process for undocumented students
The application process for undocumented students in the United States can be complex, but many colleges and universities accept undocumented students and provide support to make attending feasible. There is no federal law that prevents US colleges from admitting undocumented students, and no federal law requires proof of citizenship for admission. However, undocumented students may face financial and legal barriers.
Application Requirements
The college application process for undocumented students is usually the same as for other students. Requirements may include standardised test scores, grades, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. Some colleges may also require an official high school transcript. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities made standardised tests optional.
Financial Aid
Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, including grants and loans. However, they may be eligible for state-level financial aid in some states, including California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Some colleges may also offer institutional aid or scholarships specifically for undocumented students.
When applying for financial aid, undocumented students may be required to submit information about their family's financial situation. Some colleges may require the CSS Profile, while others have their own unique financial aid applications.
In-State Tuition
Access to in-state tuition can be critical for making college more affordable for undocumented students. Many states have implemented policies that allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates, and some states also offer state-funded financial aid programs.
Additional Resources
Many organisations and non-profits offer college access programs tailored specifically to undocumented students, providing guidance on admissions, financial aid, and scholarships. Additionally, many colleges and universities have dedicated staff members who support undocumented students with admissions policies, financial aid, and campus resources.
Undocumented students can use resources such as the Higher Ed Immigration Portal to find up-to-date information on each state's higher education accessibility, in-state tuition, and state financial aid. They can also seek advice from their high school teachers and counsellors and utilise social media to learn about other students' experiences and get a feel for different colleges.
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Supportive college campuses for undocumented students
Undocumented students, immigrants, and refugees have the right to attend college in the US. However, they often face legal and practical barriers to higher education, such as not qualifying for federal aid and issues with transferring credits. Despite these challenges, many colleges and universities are committed to supporting undocumented students and ensuring they have access to financial aid and resources.
Hispanic-serving colleges and universities often sympathize with issues faced by undocumented immigrants, especially those from Latin America. These institutions usually designate themselves as sanctuary campuses, and undocumented students often feel more culturally at ease at these schools. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and faith-based institutions also often advocate for undocumented students and provide an inclusive atmosphere and scholarship opportunities.
Some states and the District of Columbia allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at public institutions and state financial aid. As of 2021, states that allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition include California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Undocumented students may also be eligible for state financial aid in these states.
Additionally, some colleges and universities have implemented specific policies to support and protect undocumented students on campus. For example, The George Washington University (GW) invites applications from all students, regardless of citizenship and immigrant status. GW provides merit-based scholarships to highly qualified applicants, regardless of immigration status, ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 per academic year. They also offer additional funding to a limited number of undocumented and DACA students to meet their estimated financial contribution.
Undocumented students can utilize resources such as the Higher Ed Immigration Portal and the University Leaders for Educational Access and Diversity (uLEAD) Network to learn more about state higher education policies and financial aid opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are many colleges that accept undocumented students. SUNY, for example, encourages all students, regardless of citizenship status or national origin, to apply for admission.
No, not all colleges in the US accept undocumented students. Different states have different policies towards undocumented students, and some states actively block access to in-state tuition for them.
One important factor to consider is the state and its policies towards undocumented students. Some states may provide access to in-state tuition and state-funded financial aid, while others may not. Additionally, some colleges may have more experience advocating for particular minority groups and might be more sympathetic to issues faced by undocumented immigrants.
Undocumented students do not qualify for federal financial aid. However, they may be eligible for private scholarships, grants, and state-level aid, depending on the state and college.
There are many organizations and nonprofits that offer college access programs specifically for undocumented students, providing guidance on admissions, financial aid, and scholarships. Additionally, some colleges have dedicated staff members who support undocumented students with admissions policies, financial aid options, and campus resources.
