Undocumented Students
RESOURCES
Check out The Undocumented Student Program (UPS) that provides support services to undocumented/immigrant students and mixed status families on the UNLV campus.
Visit unlv.edu/diversity/undocumented for more information.
Institutional DACA Resources
Interested in going to college in Nevada, but don't know how to get funding? Check out the following link to get information on alternative financial aide for each institution: Institution DACA Resources
College Scholarships for DACA and Undocumented Students
For undocumented students, the college dream can be unreachable without enough financial support. Discover scholarships for undocumented students. To access scholarships, click the following link: https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/undocumented-students/scholarships/
IMMIGRANTS RISING: SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP LISTS
Scholarships and fellowships are essential for many undocumented students to pay for higher education, especially students who do not qualify for in-state tuition and state-based financial aid. Undocumented students pursuing higher education need to know that scholarships and fellowships are available to them—regardless of their immigration status.
To access scholarships, please use the following link: https://immigrantsrising.org/2021scholarships/
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO IS CONSIDERED UNDOCUMENTED?
These are the general criteria that defines individuals who are undocumented:
Crossed border without inspection
Came with a visa and overstayed it (let the visa expire)
In the process of “legalizing” -- applied for asylum, green card, etc. BUT HAS NOT BEEN GRANTED YET
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) -- grants temporary protected status; as of April 2020, you can renew your DACA if you already have it but you cannot apply for the first time.
AS AN UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT OR DACA STUDENT, AM I ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID?
Undocumented and DACA students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may apply for site-based and/or apply for alternate financial aid through the office of financial aid at the college they wish to attend, including department or private scholarships.
AS AN UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT OR DACA STUDENT, AM I ELIGIBLE TO RECEIEVE IN-STATE TUTITION?
Undocumented and DACA students who have graduated from a Nevada high school are automatically eligible for in-state tuition.
If a student did not graduate from a Nevada high school, they must submit the Nevada Residency Application to be eligible for residency tuition rates. Please contact the Undocumented Student Program at UNLV for assistance with your application.
AS A DACA STUDENT, CAN I TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. AND/OR PARTICIPATE IN STUDYING ABROAD?
Students who are DACA recipients have the option of applying for Advance Parole, which allows them to leave the country and return legally for humanitarian, work, or education related matters. It is highly recommended that individuals interested in applying for Advance Parole work seek assistance from an immigration attorney, as there are important risks involved in leaving the country as an undocumented person. Find a reputable immigration attorney through the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) lawyer search.
NOTE: The remainder of the questions and answers in this document focus on completing the FAFSA form, so guidance applies to only DACA students with SSNs -not to all undocumented students.
TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA FORM, DO I NEED A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN)?
Yes. A social security number is necessary to complete the FAFSA form.
If you are completing a FAFSA, a SSN is also required to create a username and password called the FSA ID, which can be used to electronically sign the FAFSA form.
DOES MY PARENTS' CITIZENSHIP STATUS AFFECT MY ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID?
No. Your parents' citizenship status doesn't affect your eligibility for federal student aid. In fact, the FAFSA form doesn't even ask about your parents' status.
IN ORDER FOR ME TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA FORM, DO MY PARENTS NEED SSN's?
No. Since your parents' citizenship doesn't affect your ability to complete the FAFSA form, they don't need SSNs. If your parents don't have SSNs, they must enter 000-00-0000 when the FAFSA form asks for your parents' SSNs.
If you parents don't have SSNs, they won't be able to create FSA IDs and therefore won't be able to sign your FAFSA form electronically. You'll have to print out the signature page from the online FAFSA form so that your parents can sign it and mail it to the address indicated.