College Guide for DACA and Undocumented Students

Explore this comprehensive guide that provides awareness, education, and resources for undocumented and DACA college students.
By
portrait of Kasia Kovacs
Kasia Kovacs
Read Full Bio

Writer

Kasia Kovacs writes on a variety of higher education topics for BestColleges. With a master's in journalism and a background in newspapers, she also freelances as a news reporter and copywriter....
Updated on August 1, 2023
Edited by
portrait of Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D.
Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D.
Read Full Bio

Editor, Reviewer & Writer

Cobretti D. Williams, Ph.D. (he/him), is a scholar, writer, and editor. Cobretti's research and writing focuses on the experiences of historically excluded students and faculty and staff in higher education. His work has been published in the Journal...
and
portrait of Cameren Boatner
Cameren Boatner
Read Full Bio

Editor & Writer

Cameren Boatner is a diversity, equity, and inclusion editor at BestColleges. She's a Society of Professional Journalists award winner for her coverage of race, minorities, and Title IX. You can find her work in South Florida Gay News, MSN Money, Deb...
Reviewed by
portrait of Susana Muñoz, Ph.D.
Susana Muñoz, Ph.D.
Read Full Bio

Reviewer

Susana M. Muñoz, Ph.D., is an associate professor of higher education leadership at Colorado State University. Her scholarly interests center on the experiences of minoritized populations in higher education. She has been honored by the White ...
Learn more about our editorial process

Note: The following information is based on the most recent news and legislative updates regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. While new applications are not being processed, the program is still in place and students with current DACA authorization are in good standing until further updates from federal government agencies.


Over 11 million undocumented immigrants lived in the U.S. as of 2019, according to the Migration Policy Institute. That's a significant portion of the population, including many young people who aim to earn a college degree. In fact, according to a 2021 Presidents' Alliance report, about 427,000 undocumented students are enrolled in postsecondary education.

Federal law doesn't prohibit undocumented students from attending college, but challenges associated with legal status might discourage you. If you feel unsure about your educational opportunities, this guide provides education and resources for undocumented students and students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status who are interested in college.

The Landscape of Undocumented Students Today

According to the federal government, undocumented students can legally enroll in colleges and universities in the U.S. Although some states prohibit these individuals from attending public schools, the vast majority do not.

As such, nearly half a million college students are undocumented. The Presidents' Alliance report also found the following figures:

48%
of undocumented students in higher education identified as Hispanic, while 25% identified as Asian and 12% identified as Black.

81%
attended public institutions, while 19% enrolled in private colleges and universities.

5 States
with the most undocumented students in higher education were California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.

Finding a Program that's Right For You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Considerations for College Choice and Application Process

  • Check Circle

    Applying to College

    There's a lot to consider when applying to college as an undocumented or DACA student. The good news is that you don't need to disclose proof of citizenship to gain admission into a U.S. college.

    However, some states put restrictions on undocumented students, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. For example, South Carolina and Alabama bar these students from attending public colleges. And states like Arizona, Georgia, and Missouri do not allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition.

  • Check Circle

    Financial Aid

    Undocumented and DACA students in higher education do not qualify for federal financial aid, which means they cannot apply for federal loans, grants, or scholarships. They also cannot participate in federally funded work-study programs. Most states follow this rule as well. That said, a handful of states like California and Minnesota do offer state financial aid for undocumented and DACA students.

    Additionally, some private companies and nonprofit groups offer scholarships for undocumented and DACA students.

    Golden Door Scholars (GDS) is an organization that provides large college scholarships, career and fellowship support, mentorship, and community-building opportunities for undocumented students.

  • Check Circle

    The DREAM Act

    Although the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act has not come into law yet, the proposed legislation would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals who came into the U.S. as children.

    Congress hasn't passed variations on the DREAM Act, but senators introduced the newest version this year. The protections offered by this legislation would simplify the process of attending college and earning financial aid for many undocumented and DACA students.

  • Check Circle

    Legal Support

    Finding legal support to help you as you apply for and enroll in college does not need to cost exorbitant fees. Several organizations offer low-cost services and free legal resources to help undocumented and DACA students make sense of their status and rights.

    Two of these resources include the Immigration Legal Resource Center and the National Immigration Law Center. The National Immigration Services Directory also offers a list of inexpensive legal services across the country.

  • Check Circle

    DACA Program

    The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program offers two years of protection for undocumented individuals who arrived in the U.S. as young people. Although this serves as a temporary solution, DACA beneficiaries can renew their status before it expires. The program is intended to provide individuals with deferred deportation.
"As a first-generation college student and daughter of immigrants, I had very limited knowledge about the multi-step college application process. Fortunately, my peers and their parents helped every step of the way. They introduced me to the Common Application, which greatly facilitated the application process, and even invited me to several open house events at various universities so that I could familiarize myself with different types of institutions."

— Jennifer Herrera, undergraduate student at Meredith College

Quotation mark

Student Life and Campus Involvement

As an undocumented or DACA student, your campus life may be a little different from those of your peers. Navigating college can be tough, but following the tips below can help you have a fulfilling experience.

Build Community

Attending college as an undocumented or DACA student can feel isolating, especially if it seems like nobody else understands your experience. However, you can probably find other undocumented and/or DACA students who can empathize with you, especially if they face similar challenges. When you connect with these students, you can build a community to help each other grow and succeed.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

You may find yourself grappling with several emotions when you go to college: anxiety, depression, guilt, a feeling of being overwhelmed. Many college campuses house mental health centers where you can speak to a counselor or psychologist in complete confidence.

Get Involved on Campus

Find activities or causes you feel passionate about. Participating in campus activities can give you a sense of purpose and lead to tangible change, particularly if you get involved with advocacy groups for undocumented and immigrant students.

Use On-Campus Support Services

If you need it, colleges and universities typically offer resources for learning English as a second language, such as private tutoring and English language immersion exercises. Schools may also offer academic support by helping students develop note-taking, test-taking, and time-management skills.

Stay Connected to Family

Attending college, especially for the first time, can feel dizzying. Staying connected to family can help keep you grounded. Your family can also remind you why you came to college in the first place and motivate you when the going gets tough.

Learn more about the Golden Door Scholarship and apply to the program.

Career Assistance and Employment

If you're able to apply for DACA status, you can also apply for an employment authorization document and Social Security number. These documents can help you find work in the U.S. after college legally, even if you don't possess permanent legal status. Remember to renew your DACA status regularly, even if you hope to pursue a path to citizenship or legal status.

Current laws in the U.S. can make finding jobs for DACA recipients challenging, but the right resources can guide you through the process of searching and applying for jobs. You can also find useful advice on how to handle interviews and talk about your undocumented status. This guide from Marquette University breaks down post-college options in a comprehensive way.

Finally, speak to career services representatives or immigration legal experts at your college or university. They can answer any questions you have as you search for jobs and internships.

Explore Resources

College Resources for Undocumented Students

United We Dream empowers young immigrants in the U.S., regardless of immigration status. The group's education equity program offers training for undocumented students on navigating the educational system.

The College Board runs Big Future — a college planning site that publishes several articles specifically for undocumented students in college. Students can learn how to apply for and pay for college with their immigration status.

Dreamers who arrived in the U.S. before November 2015 can apply for TheDream.Us program, which offers scholarship and mentorship opportunities for incoming college students.

This organization helps undocumented students obtain a college education. Immigrants Rising provides financial support and legal advice that students can access anonymously.

This guide breaks down what students need to know about laws regarding undocumented students in 11 states. It also links to specific resources in each state.

DACA Resources for Undocumented Students

This resource offers a comprehensive guide to DACA, including a breakdown of paths to legal status, instructions on replacing a DACA card, and answers to frequently asked questions. CitizenPath also offers guidance on filling out DACA applications.

This site provides the most official information that you can find on DACA. Visit this page to learn about the filing process and how to access forms.

You don't need to attend a school in the California State University system to access this resource, which helps keep readers current with the latest DACA news. This page also offers guidance and links to resources.

This guide breaks down DACA in an easy-to-understand manner and provides step-by-step instructions on how students can apply for and renew their DACA status.

Published by the Immigration Legal Resource Center, this annotated application packet gives advice by directly adding helpful notes to the application form.


Meet the Student

Portrait of Jennifer Herrera

Jennifer Herrera

Jennifer is an undergraduate student at Meredith College studying economics and public health. This summer, Jennifer had the privilege of working as a Golden Door Scholars Intern in the Scholarships team of the Road to Hire Program where she has developed a passion for serving others and giving back to her community.