Resources for Undocumented Students: Scholarships & Financial Aid for Undocumented Students

Welcome! We strive to provide our students with additional resources to meet their educational goals.

The questions and answers that follow provide information about student financial aid for undocumented students as well as guidance for a specific group of undocumented students who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We have grouped the questions and answers into two categories: “Eligibility for Financial Aid” and “Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Form.”

“Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for federal funds, but you can still get aid from your university. Some states allow undocumented immigrants to obtain in-state tuition, and undocumented students are eligible for some private scholarships as well. Some schools even offer aid specifically for undocumented immigrants. Berkeley offers $1 million in a scholarship fund earmarked for undocumented immigrants.”
“Texas, California, New York, Illinois, Utah, Nebraska, Washington, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kansas and Maryland (only for community colleges) have state laws allowing undocumented immigrants who have attended 3+ years of high school in the state to qualify for in-state tuition. Many more states are considering legislation on the issue, so ask your university if you are eligible for in-state tuition.”

“This page contains information about financial aid and scholarships for undocumented students and illegal aliens. (The terms "undocumented student", "illegal alien", and "illegal immigrant" are used interchangeably and intentionally in this page to enable this page to be found by students who are trying to find information about scholarships for undocumented students.) This page provides a neutral, objective and comprehensive summary of this topic.”

“Golden Door Scholars was founded in 2013 with the goal of promoting economic mobility for undocumented students. In our first year, we awarded 13 scholarships. Since then, we have impacted 360 DACA recipients, by partnering with schools to cover tuition, room and board for a four-year degree. Our scholars also have access to mentors, internships and other personal and professional growth opportunities.”
“Status doesn't determine opportunity. Tenacity and hard work do. With our scholarship, DACA students invest in their education and define their future.”

“At TheDream.US, we’re working to help 6,000 highly motivated DREAMers graduate from college with career-ready degrees. DREAMers are immigrant youth who came to this country at a very young age without documentation.”
“Despite the fact that this is the only country they have ever known––they’ll receive no federal aid to go to college, have limited access to state aid, and often face paying out-of-state tuition.”

“For students across the United States, the college application process can feel lengthy and complex. Not to mention the substantial resources required, and the tools necessary to navigate the collegiate landscape; all before stepping foot into the classroom. But of the 11.3 million undocumented individuals currently residing in the U.S, there are thousands of students falling into this category that often receive less resources to continue their education and bring value back into the community they grew up in.”
“Despite undocumented student’s inability to receive federal funding, there are still many options available to receive support. With private institutional funding and the state college’s independent decision to allocate scholarships, the American dream is possible beyond borders.”

“Edvisors helps students and parents make informed decisions about ways to pay for college costs and financial aid, including scholarships and student loans.”
“Undocumented students are not eligible for U.S. federal student aid. However, some may be eligible for state student financial aid programs, college-specific financial aid programs and private scholarships.”

“Get Schooled was founded in 2010 through a partnership with Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Our mission is to empower and engage young people and to give them the tools and inspiration to get the education they need to succeed. We use our digital platform, gamification and a recipe we call ‘sizzle and substance’ to inspire and engage students. Since launch we've posted more than 10 million visits to our site and have built a community of close to a million young people attending close to 11,000 middle schools, high school and colleges throughout the United States.”
“If you're an undocumented or DACAmented student, finding financial aid for college can be tricky. Undocumented students do not qualify for federal aid, and only a handful of states offer state grants to undocumented students. There are a number of scholarships for undocumented students out there, however.” Here is a list to start from: (THE LIST IS EMBEDDED WITHIN THIS LINK.)

The Mexican Studies Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to highly motivated students. The scholarship program is intended to help current and future community leaders to advance their educational goals. Recipients will work closely with the Institute staff and community-based organizations to advance the Mexican and/or immigrant community. Criteria for selection are academic excellence, financial need, and commitment to service in the immigrant and/or Mexican community in New York, without consideration of immigration status.