College Guide for DACA and Undocumented Students

A college degree can open new career opportunities for DACA and undocumented students. But first, you have to get into college.

“As a first-generation college student and daughter of immigrants, I had very limited knowledge about the multi-step college application process,” says Jennifer Herrera, a recent graduate from Meredith College. “Fortunately, my peers and their parents helped every step of the way.”

Whether you’re applying to college yourself or you’re the parent or family member of an undocumented student, our guide can help you navigate the college selection, application, and financial aid process.

U.S. immigration policy is complex and evolving. Most of the 3.6 million Dreamers living in the U.S. do not have DACA protections because the program currently only protects around 530,000 Dreamers, according to the National Immigration Forum.

Legal challenges to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program have temporarily halted the government’s ability to process new applications, and the program remains at risk. A January 2025 federal appellate court decision maintained this halt on new applications and could set the stage for a U.S. Supreme Court hearing on the program’s legality.

As U.S. immigration policy continues to change, undocumented students should understand their legal resources and continue to stay informed about policy changes.

You don’t have to prove citizenship to attend college in the U.S. However, by researching colleges before applying, you can find schools that support undocumented students through special scholarships, campus resources, and other services.

Many colleges welcome undocumented students and offer scholarships, support services, and more for these students. Researching which colleges support undocumented students can help you find a good fit.

Here are six colleges that welcome undocumented students:

Many programs aimed at supporting DACA-eligible and undocumented students are housed within a school’s office of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In February 2025, the Department of Education threatened to cut federal funding for colleges and universities that maintain DEI programs and policies, so the future of these programs remains unclear.

Your tuition rate depends on the school, your state residency, and the delivery format. Public colleges are generally the most affordable due to in-state tuition discounts. However, undocumented students do not qualify for these discounts in every state.

As of February 2025, 25 states and Washington D.C. offer in-state tuition rates for undocumented residents, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. In-state tuition is limited to DACA students in Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, and Ohio.

Florida’s in-state tuition policy will end on July 1, 2025.

While undocumented students do not qualify for federal financial aid, 19 states and D.C. offer state financial aid to undocumented students.

When researching colleges, consider which class format best fits your learning style and schedule. For example, some students prefer small class sizes, while others benefit from the flexibility of online classes.

Asynchronous online classes offer the greatest flexibility because they do not require live class sessions. That means you can complete coursework on your schedule, which often appeals to working students. Students with DACA authorization may legally work while attending college.

What’s the campus culture like? What resources does the school offer? And what are the students like? Attending college open houses can give you a valuable perspective on schools and help you compare your options to find the best fit.

As Herrera notes, “[My peers and their parents] even invited me to several open house events at various universities so that I could familiarize myself with different types of institutions.”

Undocumented student and DACA college applications look similar to any other application. Like all students, you’ll need to showcase your strengths on your applications.

A strong college application often includes:

Each college sets its own deadlines and application requirements. Make sure to carefully review the application materials and deadlines for each school. Using the Common App or the Common Black College App can simplify the process. These systems let you fill out a single application to apply to multiple schools.

College application fees can add up. While the Common App is free, you may still need to pay fees for each school that reviews your application. You can apply for a fee waiver to save money on application fees.

Applying to college as an undocumented student can be stressful. Should you select a country of citizenship? How should you handle requests for your Social Security number? Check out our college application guide for more information and resources for DACA and undocumented students.

The cost of college continues to rise, and undocumented students face unique challenges when it comes to financial aid.

DACA and undocumented students do not qualify for federal student aid programs, including federal student loans and Pell Grants. As such, they do not need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Students who live in a state where FAFSA completion is mandated can apply for a waiver to avoid this graduation requirement.

As of January 2025, undocumented students qualify for state financial aid in 19 states and Washington D.C., according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. In some states, that can include tuition-free college for undocumented students.

Undocumented students may also qualify for college scholarships to pay for their degrees. When researching scholarships, make sure to check for a citizenship requirement. Immigrants Rising maintains a database of national and regional scholarships that do not require proof of U.S. citizenship, including each scholarship’s application due date.

Private student loans for undocumented students should be the last resort after exhausting other forms of financial aid.

Learn more about financial aid options by state with our guide to financial aid for undocumented students.

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump expanded law enforcement’s ability to enforce immigration laws at and near college campuses. This means agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can presumably conduct raids at public campus spaces.

However, immigration rights advocacy and legal groups say this doesn’t give agencies sweeping power at colleges across the U.S.

ICE and other enforcement agencies may only enter public areas of campus without a warrant.

Public and nonpublic spaces vary from school to school. But generally, according to an FAQ from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, nonpublic spaces are any place where access to the public is limited. If you need a university-issued I.D. card to enter a space, for example, that would be considered a private space. Residence halls and classrooms would also be considered private spaces.

A public space might include a university quad or student union building. Essentially, any place where non-students can enter and exit freely.

Immigration enforcement officers need a judicial warrant to enter a private space, such as a dorm or residence hall.

The Presidents’ Alliance notes that ICE may come with an administrative warrant for the arrest of a noncitizen. These warrants are not signed by a judge and will typically say “Department of Homeland Security” at the top. Administrative warrants do not authorize officers to enter private spaces, so students have a personal choice whether to grant consent to enter.

In most instances, school officials cannot share a student’s file with immigration agents. This is thanks to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protections.

However, there are exceptions to this standard, including:

This means ICE cannot come to a college or university with a blanket request for administrators to share a list of all undocumented students enrolled.

However, you should still try to learn what identifiable information your school possesses about your immigration status. Some institutions may have information that explicitly shows you are undocumented — perhaps for scholarships or grants — while others may not have enough data to show that you are undocumented.

Many immigration advocacy groups recommend students carry a Red Card with them in case they encounter ICE agents.

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center offers a Red Card template.

Red Cards serve two purposes: They remind you of your constitutional rights, and you can use them to communicate with law enforcement. You can hand one side of the card to an agent or slide it under a door to let them know that you:

Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed July 4, 2024.