Lori Meadows
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to avoid deportation and obtain work permits. While DACA recipients are not eligible for federal financial aid, several states have chosen to offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented students, including DACA recipients. As of 2023, 24 states and the District of Columbia allow certain non-citizen students to qualify for in-state tuition. These states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington. However, it is important to note that each state may have specific requirements for qualifying for in-state tuition rates, such as the duration of residency or high school attendance in that state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of States Offering In-State Tuition to DACA Students | 23 or 24, including Washington, Massachusetts, Nevada, Florida, Colorado, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Virginia, Hawaii, Michigan, and California |
| Number of States Restricting In-State Tuition to DACA Recipients Only | 4 or 5 |
| Number of States Blocking Access to In-State Tuition for DACA Students | 9 or 10, including Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina |
| Number of States with No Known Policies | 8 or 9, including Puerto Rico |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
States with 'tuition equity' laws
Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia allow certain noncitizen students to pay in-state tuition fees. This number includes states that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students and states that offer in-state tuition to DACA recipients.
States with tuition equity laws
- California: Undocumented individuals can pay in-state tuition at state colleges if they attended high school in the state for three or more years and graduated from a California high school or its equivalent.
- Washington: All undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition if they completed a full senior year of high school in Washington, lived in Washington for at least three years as of the date they got their diploma, have lived in Washington since then, and file an affidavit to say they qualify to pay resident tuition and will seek legal permanent residency.
- Colorado: Eligible students can get in-state tuition at public colleges and universities if they attended a Colorado high school for at least one year before graduating or were "physically present" in Colorado for at least one year before taking a high school equivalency exam.
- Connecticut: Undocumented students must attend a minimum of two years of high school in Connecticut and file an affidavit saying they applied for legal immigration status or will do so when eligible.
- Nevada: Immigrants granted status under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act, or DACA program, can qualify for in-state tuition after living in Nevada for 12 months.
- Massachusetts: Immigrants without legal status who have attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three years or who have earned a GED certificate can pay in-state tuition rates at public universities.
- Florida: Undocumented students can apply for an out-of-state fee waiver, which includes requirements such as attending a secondary school in Florida for three consecutive years before graduation and enrolling in a public state higher education institution within 24 months of graduating.
- Oklahoma and Rhode Island: These two states allow in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through Board of Regents decisions, even though it is not legislated.
- Virginia: The state's attorney general started granting in-state tuition to those covered under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in April 2014.
- Hawaii and Michigan: These two states have two specific universities that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students: the University of Hawaii and the University of Michigan.
States that restrict in-state tuition to DACA recipients only
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Ohio
Student Discounts for Adobe Creative Cloud: Can I Pay Less?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
States where DACA students can apply for state financial aid
As of March 3, 2025, 24 states and Washington, D.C., have policies that provide access to in-state tuition and some state financial aid or scholarships for DACA recipients and undocumented students. However, Florida was originally on the list but removed itself, effective July 1, 2025, meaning there are now 23 states where DACA students can apply for state financial aid.
- California: The CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) is open to DACA recipients (both valid and expired) and provides access to in-state tuition and state-based financial aid.
- Connecticut: The Aid Application for CT Undocumented Students (AACTUS) provides institutional aid to DACA students.
- Washington: DACA students must have completed a full senior year of high school, lived in the state for at least three years, and have continuously lived in the state after receiving their diploma.
- New Mexico: Eligible DACA students can access state financial aid at public postsecondary institutions.
- Maryland: Undocumented students with DACA status living in the state can apply for state need-based financial assistance through the Virginia Alternative State Aid application.
- Oregon: The Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) is an alternative to the FAFSA for Oregon residents with DACA status, through which they can receive financial aid via state-based grants, scholarships, and tuition reduction.
- Minnesota: DACA students can receive in-state resident tuition at public colleges, state-based financial aid, and privately funded financial aid through individual colleges and universities by completing the Minnesota Dream Act Application online.
Student Loans: Real Estate Investing for Debt Freedom
You may want to see also
Explore related products
States where DACA students are barred from resident tuition rates
Several states in the U.S. bar DACA students from resident tuition rates. These states include Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia, which actively block undocumented students without DACA from enrolling in public colleges and universities. Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin also block access to in-state tuition for undocumented residents, including DACA recipients.
Some states have no established policies on access to in-state tuition for undocumented students, while others defer to institution-level policies. Additionally, certain states may allow DACA recipients to enroll in public institutions but do not offer them in-state tuition rates.
It is important to note that policies and laws regarding DACA students and in-state tuition may change over time, and it is always advisable to refer to the latest information from official sources. The information provided here may not be fully up-to-date.
The varying state policies highlight the complex landscape of higher education access for undocumented students, including those protected by DACA, in the United States. These policies have significant implications for the opportunities and affordability of college education for this population.
While some states actively block access, others, like California, Washington, and Colorado, have passed laws enabling undocumented students, including DACA recipients, to qualify for in-state tuition under specific conditions. These conditions often include requirements related to high school attendance, duration of residency, and intentions to seek legal permanent residency.
Expat Student Loan Repayment: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
States where DACA students can enrol at public colleges
As of 2023, 24 states and the District of Columbia allow DACA students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges. These states include:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Washington
Some states, such as Florida, have specific requirements for DACA students to qualify for in-state tuition. In this case, DACA students must attend a secondary school in Florida for three consecutive years before graduation and enrol in a public state higher education institution within 24 months of graduating.
On the other hand, nine states block access to tuition or financial aid for residents lacking permanent status. These states are:
- Indiana
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
- Alabama
- Georgia
- South Carolina
The last three states on this list have laws that prevent students without permanent legal status from enrolling in all or some public colleges.
University Students and Income Tax: Who Pays?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
States where DACA students are blocked from enrolling at public colleges
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has been a source of uncertainty for undocumented students in the United States, with ongoing legal challenges and shifting federal policies. While DACA recipients are eligible to attend any public college or university in any state, certain states have policies that actively bar access to in-state tuition and financial aid for undocumented students, including DACA recipients.
Three states—Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia—actively block undocumented students who do not hold DACA status from enrolling in their public colleges and universities. This means that while DACA recipients may still be able to enrol in these states, those without DACA status face significant barriers to accessing higher education.
It is important to note that the landscape of DACA and its implications for undocumented students is constantly evolving. The Trump administration's attempts to end DACA were blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020, preserving the program for the time being. However, the administration may try again to terminate the program, and ongoing legal challenges create a state of flux and uncertainty for undocumented students and their access to higher education.
While some states actively block undocumented students without DACA status, it is worth mentioning that there are also states that provide more inclusive policies. For example, Washington, California, Colorado, and Connecticut have implemented laws that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students under specific residency and educational requirements. Additionally, 18 states and the District of Columbia allow undocumented students to apply for state financial aid, making higher education more accessible and affordable.
As of 2023, an estimated 408,000 undocumented students were enrolled in postsecondary education in the United States, and DACA status has been a pathway to wider educational opportunities for many. However, the absence of binding Dreamer legislation leaves the future of these opportunities uncertain. It is crucial for undocumented students to stay informed about their rights and to seek support and resources to navigate the complex intersection of immigration and education policies.
Residents: Student Loan Payment Strategies and Tips
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
24 states and the District of Columbia allow DACA students to pay in-state tuition.
The states that allow DACA students to pay in-state tuition include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington.
Nine states block access to in-state tuition for residents lacking permanent status. These states include Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Yes, eight states and Puerto Rico do not have known policies on DACA students paying in-state tuition.
Allowing DACA students to pay in-state tuition can help reduce workforce shortages and boost tax revenue. It also makes higher education more accessible and affordable for undocumented students.
