Embedded Files
information for under - documented students
information for under - documented students
Many students that are undocumented question whether they can attend college at all. There are no federal laws that prohibit the admission of undocumented immigrants from U.S. colleges/universities, either public or private. Federal laws do not require students to prove US citizenship in order to enter U.S. institutions of higher education. However, policies in individual states and at individual institutions vary widely. In many states, including Georgia, some public institutions will accept undocumented students, but will consider them as out-of-state students, and therefore prevent those students from benefiting from in-state tuition rates or state financial aid. Many private colleges are more receptive to undocumented students, and will allow them to apply for financial aid.
The following websites provide information for undocumented individuals on a variety of topics, as well as providing resources for options and services.
National Immigration Law Center
The Best Schools - Guide for Undocumented Students
Higher Education Immigration Portal - Georgia
Higher Ed Immigration Portal - Undocumented Students
searching for and applying for college
searching for and applying for college
In the state of Georgia, undocumented students are ineligible for attendance at Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, and Georgia College and State University. Undocumented students may be accepted at other public schools, but will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate. Some private schools in the state of Georgia, such as Emory University, Oglethorpe University, Young Harris College, and Agnes Scott are receptive to undocumented students and may provide assistance with financial aid.
The following websites/links may help you search for and find information about colleges.
Appily Colleges for Undocumented Students
Informed Immigrant - Options for Undocumented Students
Resources for Applying to College as an Undocumented Student
Hispanic Association of College and Universities
paying for college
paying for college
Undocumented students are not eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or receive federal student aid. DACA students that have a social security number (SSN) can complete the FAFSA. Documented students that have an SSN can complete the FAFSA, even if their parents are undocumented and do not have an SSN. However, their parents cannot qualify for a Direct Plus Loan. In the state of Georgia, undocumented students are not eligible for the HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship, or other state aid programs. Many private universities utilize the CSS profile, or their own financial aid forms, to help determine a student's financial need and to distribute institutional funds. Undocumented students are able to complete the CSS profile. Contact the financial aid office at the colleges you are applying to in order to determine what financial aid forms they need, and whether they will assist undocumented students with institutional aid.
Non-citizen eligibility for the FAFSA
How to complete the CSS Profile
In addition to federal or institutional aid, there are a variety of scholarships to help students pay for college. Many scholarships do require proof of U.S. citizenship in order to apply, but many of them do not. The following links have many resources available for scholarships that do not require proof of U.S. citizenship.
Immigrants Rising Scholarships
My Undocumented Life Scholarship page
Appily Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Understanding FAFSA - Scholarships and Grants
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