Supporting Undocumented Students in the Quest for a College Education

Undocumented students may face many barriers to college, but it is possible for them to get a college education. MEFA hosted a webinar, The College Process for Undocumented Students, presented by Andrea Keenan of Excel Academy, that addressed immigration policies, shared information on financial aid eligibility, and also spoke about the DACA application process and its benefits. Andrea took some time after the webinar to answer some of the questions we received:

Are there scholarships for non-DACA undocumented students? Where can I find them?

There are many scholarships out there, local and national, that don't require citizenship status. Check the eligibility requirements section of any scholarship of interest. If it makes no mention of citizenship or residency status, then it is open to undocumented students. If you're unsure, reach out to the scholarship organization before applying. Here are some of my preferred jumping off points when searching for these type of scholarships:

1. MALDEF's Scholarship Resources: A great, inclusive list of scholarships that do not require citizenship status to apply.
2. Immigrants Rising's List of Scholarships and Fellowships           
   

Is there a list of colleges that support high-achieving undocumented students?

There is no "one" list on the web, but there are many private institutions that will support undocumented students via need-based or merit-based aid. As a counselor, I recommend consulting online lists for general info. Review these lists, but always double-check the information by consulting the college's financial aid pages. Institutions will differ in their treatment of admissions and financial aid applications. Some may consider undocumented students "domestic" applicants for admissions if they graduate from a US high school, but "international" for financial aid. If in doubt, always call the institution directly to ask specific questions about their financial support of undocumented students. Though they may want to, not all private institutions have the same ability to offer financial support.

Should we encourage undocumented students to complete a FAFSA in order to connect to other resources, such as state or college-specific resources?

Good question! Undocumented students, though they are ineligible for federal financial aid, may still choose to fill out a FAFSA to receive their FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), which can give some colleges or private scholarships information about the student's financial situation in order to offer the student need-based aid.

If a student graduated from a school in MA, would the student be considered a MA state resident for tuition purposes, regardless of documentation?

Certain undocumented students are eligible for MA in-state tuition and MA state financial aid. MEFA's post, How Massachusetts' Tuition Equity Law is Opening Doors for More Students in the Commonwealth provides more details.

Watch The College Process for Undocumented Students Webinar