Reach out to college financial aid offices to learn more. Pomona College – Pomona will meet 100% of need for DACA and undocumented students. Finding a school enveloped in a community like this may not only add a layer of insulation against the rising tide of federal anti-immigrant action, but it is also a likely indicator that your new community is welcoming of new arrivals and inclusive in its culture.

However, undocumented students may be eligible for state student financial aid in some states.Although there is no federal law that requires proof of citizenship to be admitted to U.S. colleges, undocumented students face their own set of hurdles in the application process. Bowdoin College – Bowdoin considers undocumented students to be domestic students in the admissions process and is “need-blind” for undocumented students.
However, as an undocumented student, you can consider the legal orientation of a state toward undocumented students as a strong indication of its cultural attitude toward immigrant population.

Opportunities for access and affordability will vary according state, as will attitudes toward immigrant populations.

Part of your college search process must include a clear understanding of each prospective school’s policies and how they relate to your status.With immigration from Mexico accounting for 26% of all immigration to the U.S. in 2016, and a reported 43% of immigrants speaking Spanish in the household, Hispanic students form the largest subsection of undocumented students working toward a degree in the U.S. For this reason, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) may represent a uniquely supportive and accessible opportunity for many individuals in this population.Otherwise, read on for tips on choosing the best school for your situation.The above-noted are states in which you might be well-served by completing and printing a FAFSA form, which you can then bring to your school’s financial aid office for further submission guidance.Some cities, regions and states even have sanctuary policies, both official and unofficial, that run the gamut from passively declining to support federal immigration enforcement efforts to actively obstructing federal efforts at cracking down on local immigrant communities.


Before you choose the best school for your needs, it’s important to understand some of the limitations and challenges that can shape this decision for undocumented students. There are a number of legal, practical and financial variables that you’ll need to consider as you seek a college, whether online or on-campus. These factors can have just as significant an impact on your experience and on your ability succeed in your higher education.As an undocumented student, the right online college can offer a few advantages that are worth considering, including:As an undocumented student, you are legally entitled to apply to most public colleges in the United States.

But, when a college considers an undocumented student to be domestic, the student will be more likely to receive a good financial aid package.Undocumented students, including students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, are not eligible to receive federal financial aid. Another member of the Ivy League, this large university in Philadelphia offers many highly-regarded undergraduate and graduate programs. As of 2015, the following states allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition:The following private colleges have public policies on their acceptance of undocumented students as domestic students:A number of these states also allow undocumented students to receive state-level financial aid. By RACHEL For all of you working on college applications, there is a growing list of private colleges that publicly accept undocumented students as … Occidental College – Occidental considers undocumented students to be international students and the college will fully fund 2-4 international students every year. Also note that the following states have laws that prohibit undocumented students from attending public college for universities altogether: Alabama South Carolina The following private colleges have public policies on their acceptance of undocumented students as domestic students: Pomona College (Claremont, Calif.) Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio) Tufts University (Medford, Mass.)