College Search For DACA/Undocumented Students
College Search for Dreamers
Being undocumented or a DACA recipient adds to the level of difficulty in finding affordable college options. However, options still exist, but the number and quality of options depends on where you live, how successful of a student you have been throughout high school, and how far from home you are willing to travel to get a college education!
Four steps in looking for affordable college for Dreamers
1. Understand the in-state, public options in your state
2. Search for private colleges regionally and nationally
3. Apply for Special scholarships specifically for Dreamers
4. Use your local community college as a back-up option
2. Search for private colleges locally, regionally, and nationally
We divided private colleges into 4 categories based on their projected affordability for DACA & undocumented students.
National- These are the most affordable colleges that meet close to 100% of financial need for all students. Most of them are also very difficult to be accepted into.
Regional- These colleges have a higher chance of being affordable and DACA/undoc students from the region should apply to them.
In-State- Apply to these colleges if you live close enough to commute or if you live within the same state. They they generally do not make up missing state/federal financial aid with institutional awards, they may for the right student.
Local/Commute Only-- Apply to these schools if you live close enough to commute. They are very unlikely to be affordable if you have to live on campus.
Map of State Policies and Private Colleges
Includes application strategy for applying to to college as a DACA/undocumented students based on your state!
3. Apply for scholarships specifically for Dreamers
1. Scholarships (The Latino Legal Voice for Citizens of America)
2. eAdvising Folder Scholarship List
3. Immigrants Rising Scholarship List
4. TopCollegeSuccess.Com Scholarship List for DACA
7. Hispanic Arts Council STL- Scholarships for Dreamers
8. The Dream.US Scholarship-- How it Works
National Scholarship (students living in the following states where they qualify for in-state tuition (IL, VA, DC, DE, NJ, NY, CT, FL, TX, AZ, NV, CO, WA, OR, CA) can apply for a scholarship at a partner university in that state.)
Opportunity Scholarship (Students living in a locked out state (AL, ID, ND, SD, IA, WI, MO AR, IN, LA, MS, GA, SC, NC, WV) can apply for a scholarship to one of the following universities: Western Oregon University, Christian Brothers University (TN), Trinity University (DC, womens), Delaware State University, Eastern Connecticut State University.)
4. Use your local community college as a back-up option
Starting your education is better than putting it off. We highly encourage you to get started, even if you have to work and go to school and can only take 1-2 classes per semester because you have to pay out-of-state tuition. Many community colleges have small scholarships that can help, but you often have to ask about these opportunities!