Applying while Undocumented

Because FAFSA only awards federal aid to students who are permanent residents or citizens, undocumented students who fill out the FAFSA will not be eligible for federal aid but can use this form as a way to prove their eligibility for institutional aid (funding from the college they are applying to). 

Regardless of status, students should fill out the CSS profile. This form also determines a student’s eligibility for institutional aid. 

Undocu-Friendly Schools are schools that meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Have some scholarship money for undocumented students

• Have programs at their schools to support undocumented students

• Have promised not to give any student or student family information to ICE

Schools like Tufts, Providence College, Bates, UCLA, Harvard, Smith, etc are undocu-friendly. 

Undocu friendly schools can sometimes have their own financial aid process besides the FAFSA/CSS Profile, which allows them to award more funding toward undocumented students. 100% need met schools might be good financial fits for high achieving low-income undocumented students. 

Note on 100% Need Met Schools: 

Schools that meet 100% of student need in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study and occasionally, loans. These schools (think Northeastern, Tufts, Smith, Harvard) are often dream/reach schools for any student. Admissions to these are schools are highly selective and are not a guarantee. 

In-state vs. out-of-state vs. international student rate

Public Universities, such as state schools and community colleges, offer in and out-of-state tuition rates with out-of-state tuition rates often being higher than in-state rates. As an undocu student, schools may classify you as an out-of-state student. Some schools may ask you to prove your state residency through a work-authorization card and high school diploma.  If you are currently working with an immigration lawyer, this could help prove residency.

Out of all of the UMasses, I have heard that UMass Boston tries to advocate for undocumented students the most. They have an undocumented student specific scholarship and may be able to classify the student as a resident for them to receive in-state tuition. - Ms. Betetta 

Private Universities may also classify undocu students as international students and thus be charged a higher tuition rate. To fight this, be sure you are in contact with the school’s financial aid office and admissions. 

It is important to note that all student cases and colleges are different. Most times, what applies to one student may not apply to another. The student will have to work with admissions to determine their outcome.

Note on Public v. Private Institutions:

Public Institutions (think UMasses) often only give financial aid in the form of federal aid and do not award need-based aid to undocumented students. However, all students regardless of immigration status are eligible and considered for merit aid (aid based on your academics). 

Private Institutions (think Brandeis) typically have more funding to provide non-residents need-based aid and merit aid. 

All information adapted from the College Packet

Emailing Admissions: 

• Ask if they will classify you as a domestic student rather than an international student

• Ask if you are eligible for in-state tuition & how you could prove residency

Emailing Financial aid:

Basic Email

"To Whom It May Concern:

My name is _______ [insert your name]. I am writing to you because I have submitted my application for the Fall 2021 semester and am interested in applying for financial aid. However, due to my complicated immigration status [here you might what to include the name of your status if you know it], my financial situation is not straightforward. 

I am unable to complete the FAFSA for this year but am still interested in applying for institutional aid. How would I go about this? Would I be able to complete a PDF of the FAFSA to show my financial situation? Or would you like for me to complete the CSS Profile? 

Thank you,

__________ [insert your name]

[insert application ID, if given]" 

Submitting Alternate Forms email 

"To Whom It May Concern:

My name is _______ [insert your name]. I am writing to you because I have submitted my application (applicant ID ________ [insert the student ID provided to you by the school if you received one] and would like to share my FAFSA documents with you. However, due to my complicated immigration status [here you might what to include the name of your status if you know it], I cannot simply send my financial documents to you through FAFSA. Instead, I am attaching pdfs of the document to this email. You will find my SAR along with the denial letter from FAFSA, which I received after mailing in hard copies of my forms. I wanted to make sure that you had this information for your decision-making.

I was also wondering: Are there any forms that are specific to your school that I could fill out to demonstrate my financial need? This could possibly serve as a replacement for the FAFSA since I do not qualify for federal financial aid.

Given that my financial situation is not straightforward, I would like to meet with a financial aid advisor/Admissions Counselor. Who should I be in contact with about setting up a meeting? I am excited at the prospect of attending ________ [insert school name] and want to do everything I can to make that possible.

I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

__________ [insert your name]"

Appeal email - for accepted students

"To Whom It May Concern:

My name is _______ [insert your name]. I am writing to you because I have submitted my application and I have been accepted under the student ID _______ [insert the student ID assigned to you by the school]. However, due to my complicated immigration status [here you might what to include the name of your status if you know it], my financial situation is not straightforward. I want to commit to my acceptance, but need to make sure that I am financially secure. I would like to meet with a financial aid advisor to both talk about the possibility of extending my deadline to commit to my acceptance while I figure out my financial options. I would also like to discuss a financial aid appeal. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

__________ [insert your name]"

Adapted from Resources for Undocumented Students Applying to College

Science Ambassador Scholarship (opens this fall for 2025 class): scholarship for women students pursuing a degree in STEM

Red Pine Scholarship (February 14th deadline): scholarship of up to $20,000 for high-achieving Massachusetts seniors

Renewable scholarship

Dreamer Scholarship (February 25th deadline): This national scholarship award aimed to cover tuition and fees up to $16,500 for an associate degree (2-year degree) and $33,000 for a bachelor's degree (4-year degree) at one of their partner colleges. 

Renewable scholarship

Students must have DACA, TPS, or have arrived to US before Nov. 1, 2015, and have had no lawful status

More on eligibility

SpeakOUT Boston Scholarship (April 3rd deadline): scholarship for LGBTQ+ students entering college, living in New England and holding a 3.0 GPA

Unafraid Scholarship (June 1st deadline): local Boston scholarship for undocumented students with no GPA requirement

The Fish Family Foundation in collaboration with Duet, a local non-profit, launched a new scholarship available to DACA, TPS, and undocumented students! 

The Duet program is a project-based curriculum at Southern New Hampshire University which specializes in Business Management, Healthcare Management and Communications. More program information can be found here.

The scholarship is renewable for up to 12 terms (4 academic years) and makes the final cost of the program only $217 per term. In addition, students will have access to 1:1 counseling, career coaching, and much more.

Seniors interested in this program should apply by April 2022. More information to come soon!

English Resources:

• Applying to College as an Undocumented Student

• Options for Undocumented High School Students

Recursos en español: 

• Aplicar a la Universidad como Estudiante Indocumentado

• Opciónes para Estudiantes Indocumentados de Secundaria