Four important questions answered and oodles of resources to help undocumented students prepare and apply for college.

1. Can I still go to college if I am undocumented?

Yes. There is no federal policy restricting undocumented students from being accepted at a university.

2. Am I eligible for financial aid?

It depends on what state you live in. Undocumented students are ineligible for federal aid, but many schools offer in-state tuition and state and university scholarships to undocumented students. You can find a map of these states here, or on this page. You can also find scholarship opportunities on DREAMer’s Roadmap.

3. Will applying to colleges give the federal government information that will get me deported?

No. Schools administration do not legally have to give information to the federal government about its students under FERPA (see "Laws and Regulations" below for more information). And any information given to these schools cannot be held against you in court. When it comes to applying for scholarships, the policies different from source to source, so make sure to read their agreements carefully.

4. Should I give up hope on going to college?

No way! You are not alone in this journey. There are many people in your community who are in your same position or are devoting their time and energy to making sure you get to college. Now is the best possible time to apply.

Here are tons of resources for helping you get there:

Another great read: How to Write your Extracurricular Essay without Rockstar Achievements

Applying to College

How to Get Your Testing, Application Fees, and Basically Everything Else for Free
The title says it all. This is the best and more practical place to start.

How DACA Students Can Apply to College
11 tips for Dreamers.

The CollegeBoard’s Repository of Resources for Undocumented Students
A list of organizations and resources for how to get support through applying and attending college.

Free Access to College Essay Guy’s How to Write the Personal Statement
Just write us an email at help@collegeessayguy.com telling us that you are interested in a pay-what-you-can option and you can get free access.

Matchlighters Scholarship
Free college admissions help: four hours of one-on-one essay feedback and two hours of college-list development

Paying for College: Scholarships and In-State Tuition

A List of Schools’ Financial Aid Policies toward Undocumented Students
Each school has their own policies. While your options may be more limited, there are many schools out there that strongly support you in your journey.

A List of Private Scholarships for California Universities

How to Cut Down the Costs of Attending College

MALDEF’s Scholarship Resource Guide for high school, college, and graduate students

4-Year Colleges & Universities Admissions Policies, Financial Aid, and Scholarships
Admission policies, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities at colleges and universities throughout the nation and abroad.

How Undocumented Immigrants Might Qualify for College Financial Aid in N.J.
The New Jersey legislature is writing a bill that will allow undocumented students who graduated from a New Jersey high school to receive state financial aid.

Student Loans for Immigrants: Here are some tips for applying for loans as an immigrant.

Laws and Regulations

Free or Reduced-Price Legal Help
When in doubt, ask a professional.

The Nuts and Bolts for Getting Ready for College
See section 1 here for a brief introduction to the important policies related to eligibility for applying to college.

DACA - The pros and cons of applying for DACA
DACA is a temporary option to defer deportation: “If you are considering applying for DACA but haven't yet done so, take the time to first consider your own personal, immigration, and criminal history and the risks of providing these details to the U.S. government.”

FERPA - The US Department of Education
You have a right to privacy regarding your educational information.

HB60 - Illinois Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights
An Illinois act that allows in-state tuition for undocumented students.

HB540 - Resources for Undocumented Students (AB 540)
A California act that allows in-state tuition for undocumented students

Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) - American Immigration Council
A number given to people without social security numbers so that they can still pay taxes, gaining tax credits, getting a driver’s license, and other things.