College Overview for Undocumented StudentsBridgid TitleyFuture School CounselorSpring 2013

Message from Your School Counselor• Legally, school personnel are not allowed to

ask about the immigration status of students or parents.

• If you choose to tell me about your status, that information is CONFIDENTIAL. I will not share it with anyone, unless I have your permission.

• I will act as your ALLY during the college admissions process by assisting with research and identifying additional resources to help you.

College Admissions• As an undocumented immigrant you CAN attend college

and receive financial assistance, although barriers do exist

• Approximately 65,000 undocumented immigrants graduate from high school each year; only between 5 and 10 percent go on to college

• No federal or state law prohibits accepting undocumented students to U.S. colleges or requires proof of citizenship to enter a U.S. college, public or private

• Each institution (public and private) sets its own policies regarding admissions for undocumented students

• Research admissions policies as you develop a list of colleges of interest

College Tuition• In Illinois, undocumented students pay in-

state tuition rates at public institutions

• Some state (public) institutions treat undocumented students as foreign/international students and charge them out-of-state tuition rates, making the institution more expensive

• At private institutions, all students (in-state and out-of-state) pay the same tuition rate

Financial Aid & ScholarshipsFederal Financial Aid• Undocumented students do not qualify for federal

financial aid, which includes grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study money

State Financial Aid in Illinois• Undocumented students pay in-state tuition rates, but

do not qualify for state financial aid• The Illinois DREAM Act, however, has set up a private

fund to provide financial assistance to children of immigrants

Private Scholarships• Private institutions set their own financial aid policies

and may provide grants and scholarships to undocumented students

Important Illinois LegislationBill HB 60 - Higher Education In-State TuitionUndocumented students residing in Illinois and meeting all of the following requirements are able to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities of Illinois. Effective as of May 20, 2003.

Requirements• Student has resided in Illinois with his/her parent or guardian while attending public

or private high school• Student has graduated from an Illinois public or private high school or received a

GED from IL• Student has attended an Illinois high school for at least three (3) years• Student has registered to enter the university no earlier than the Fall 2003 semester• Student provides the university with an affidavit stating he/she will file an

application to become a permanent resident of the U.S. once he/she becomes eligible to do so

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=60&GAID=3&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=195&SessionID=3&GA=93

Public Act 097-0233 – Illinois DREAM Act• To receive a scholarship from the Illinois DREAM Fund, students must meet the

same requirements outlined above.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0233

College Majors• Some majors require background checks or lead to

career paths that require background checks, state certification or licensure, or a social security number

• This is often true in the fields of education, social work, health, and law enforcement

• Potentially friendly career areas for undocumented immigrants: Administrative Positions; Business Office Manager; Computers; Graphic Design; Hotel Management; Journalism/Communications; Radio & TV Broadcasting; Restaurants; Trade Fields, such as painters, caterers, carpenters, repairers

Source: IL Association for College Admissions Counseling,http://www.iacac.org/undocumented/careers/

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)•“On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland

Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would then be eligible for work authorization.” - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

•Receiving deferred action does not qualify you for federal financial aid, but does make you eligible for work authorization

Questions to Ask: Admissions, Aid, & Majors

• Does the institution admit undocumented students?• Does the institution require a social security number

and proof of residency?• Does the institution have a policy regarding whether

or not it will report undocumented students?• Will the institution consider undocumented students

for institutional aid or merit aid?• Does the institution offer special scholarships for

international students? Can undocumented students apply for these scholarships?

• Does the major require a background check?• Does the major lead to certification or state licensure

for which an undocumented student might be ineligible?

• Are advisors and career development staff aware of these issues?

ResourcesChoose Your Futurehttp://www.chooseyourfuture.org/college/undocumented-students

College Boardhttp://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/financial-aid/undocumented-students

Repository of Resources for Undocumented StudentsHttp://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/Repository-Resources-Undocumented-Students_2012.pdf

Illinois Association for College Admissions Counselinghttp://www.iacac.org/undocumented/

IL DREAM Act Undocumented Student Guide to Collegehttp://www.icirr.org/sites/default/files/ILDreamActStudentGuideFINAL.pdf

Immigrant Youth Financial Resource Guidehttp://www.iyjl.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/IYJL-Immigrant-Youth-Financial-Resource-Guide-.pdf

What DACA Approval Means For Youhttp://www.e4fc.org/images/E4FC_GOTDACA.pdf

If You Dream of Attending College…

WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Available for appointments Monday through Friday, 9am – 3pm

Bridgid.titley@cps.edu(773) 555-1234