Better FAFSA for Mixed-Status Families: Top 10 Things to Know So You Can Prepare The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA is getting an overhaul this year as the U.S. Department of Education (ED) implements the FAFSA Simplification and FUTURE Acts. Most residents, including citizens, legal permanent residents, T visa holders, and other […]

DACA recipients face unique challenges when applying for and attending college. Resources such as financial aid and navigating state and federal policies are critical for success. Fortunately, there is a wealth of online resources dedicated to the academic success of students with DACA status. See below for those resources. Finding DACA-Friendly Colleges and Universities  Different […]

Graduate School Mini-Conference Resource List   In 2021, TheDream.US, My Undocumented Life Blog, Pre-Health Dreamers, Cientifico Latino, and How to College: First Gen hosted a graduate school mini conference for undocumented students hoping to pursue graduate school. If you are an undocumented student pursuing graduate school, below, you will find information and resources from the […]

A student-friendly loan program for Dreamers with DACA or TPS status provides graduate school loans with interest rates based on those available to U.S. citizens. There are no fees to take out a loan, no cosigner or minimum credit score requirement, and no prepayment penalty, and borrowers have access to free 1:1 financial coaching. ABOUT […]

Limited In-State Tuition Eligibility Leaves Massachusetts Behind Other States: Since 2012, state Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have been eligible for in-state tuition at all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. They must meet the same requirements for establishing residency in Massachusetts that are required of a US citizen; and, provide appropriate immigration […]

Texas In-State Tuition: What You Need to Know In 2001, then-Governor Rick Perry signed the Texas Dream Act, House Bill (H.B.) 1403, which provides the state’s eligible undocumented students, including DACA recipients, with access to in-state tuition and state financial aid. Out-of-state tuition rates are typically three times higher than in-state rates, on average. Thanks […]

The Higher Ed Immigration Portal serves as a vital source of information to help inform campuses of the different innovative and effective practices that support the access and success of immigrant students in higher education.   Marisela Hernandez and Nancy Jodaitis recently published a brief titled How Can We Transform the Educational Experiences of Undocumented Students […]

Beyond DACA: A Directory of Resources for Undocumented Students & Individuals The U.S. is home to more than 408,000 undocumented students in higher education and close to 2.7 million Dreamers across the country. The purpose of this Beyond DACA directory is to provide a consolidated place for the most recent resources to support undocumented students […]

Resources to Help Explain Refugee Eligibility for College Admissions Refugees resettled in the U.S. sometimes face unique challenges explaining their immigration status and eligibility to enroll in colleges and universities in the U.S.. These challenges include:  gaps in their education history; transcripts in other languages; lack of financial means to take standardized tests; and identification […]

Congress continues to debate the structure of a potential budget reconciliation package. Congress must prioritize programs that support college access, affordability, and student success for undocumented students. This resource notes how America’s College Promise program, which is part of the Build Back Better Act, would have guaranteed two years of free community to all, will […]