Can You Get Financial Aid as an Undocumented Student?

If you are undocumented — including if you hold DACA status — you cannot receive federal student aid such as Pell Grants, federal work-study, or federal student loans. This is confirmed directly by the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office. The FAFSA requires a Social Security Number to complete, and most undocumented students do not have one. DACA recipients who do hold an SSN can technically submit a FAFSA, but they will still be classified as ineligible for federal aid.

Here is what that means practically: the federal government will not provide you with grants or loans. However, your parents’ citizenship status does not affect your eligibility if you are a U.S. citizen. If you are a citizen with undocumented parents, you are still fully eligible for federal aid — your parents do not need SSNs for you to complete the FAFSA. They can enter 000-00-0000 where the form requests their SSN.

The critical point is this: federal ineligibility does not close every door. State aid, institutional aid, and private scholarships remain available in many cases, and the sections below walk you through each option.

As of 2025, 22 states and Washington, D.C., allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. Of those, 18 states and D.C. also provide access to some form of state financial aid or scholarships. This is a significant benefit — the average in-state tuition at public colleges is roughly $11,610 per year, compared to approximately $30,780 for out-of-state students. That difference alone can determine whether college is financially possible for you.

Several states have created their own financial aid applications specifically designed for undocumented students. California’s CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows you to apply for Cal Grants, community college fee waivers, and state university grants — without a Social Security Number and without any information being shared with federal agencies. Oregon offers the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA), and Minnesota provides the MN Dream Act Application. Virginia has the Virginia Alternative State Aid application for students who cannot complete a FAFSA.

However, the landscape is shifting rapidly. Florida revoked in-state tuition for undocumented students in 2025, and Texas lost its in-state tuition policy through a federal court ruling in June 2025. Oklahoma and Kentucky have also faced federal challenges to their tuition equity laws. Three states — Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina — prohibit undocumented students from enrolling at some or all public institutions entirely.

Private scholarships are one of your most accessible funding sources because they are not subject to federal eligibility rules. Several major national programs are designed specifically for undocumented students, regardless of whether you hold DACA status.

TheDream.US is the largest college scholarship program for undocumented immigrant students in the country. Their National Scholarship provides up to $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree and up to $16,500 for an associate degree, plus an additional stipend of up to $6,000 for books, supplies, and transportation. Their Opportunity Scholarship — for students in states that block access to in-state tuition — provides up to $100,000 to cover tuition, fees, housing, and meals at a partner college. To qualify, you must have arrived in the U.S. before age 16 and before November 1, 2020, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Golden Door Scholars provides tuition, room, and board for a four-year degree at partner institutions, primarily for students in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia — states with the most restrictive enrollment policies. Applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.2 and demonstrate high financial need.

Beyond these major programs, MALDEF publishes a comprehensive annual Scholarship Resource Guide listing dozens of scholarships that do not require a Social Security Number or ask about immigration status. Immigrants Rising also maintains a searchable scholarship database for undocumented students. Many local organizations, community foundations, and houses of worship also offer scholarships without immigration status requirements.

Beyond state and private sources, many colleges and universities award their own institutional financial aid to students regardless of immigration status. This includes both merit-based scholarships and need-based grants funded by the institution’s own endowment or private donors.

Private universities tend to have more flexibility in this area than public institutions. Some schools use the CSS Profile — a financial aid application managed by the College Board that several hundred schools use — to assess financial need for institutional aid, and it does not require federal eligibility. You should contact the financial aid office at every school you are considering to ask specifically whether they offer aid to undocumented students and what application is required.

Many public colleges and universities in states with tuition equity laws also have Dream Resource Centers or undocumented student support offices that can help you navigate institutional funding. California’s public colleges, for example, are required to have such centers, which offer free legal services, emergency grants, and help with the CADAA.

When evaluating colleges, consider community colleges as a strategic starting point. They typically have the lowest tuition, are most likely to be open-enrollment (meaning no enrollment restrictions based on immigration status), and may offer pathway programs that transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions. Starting at a community college can significantly reduce your total cost of attendance.

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of financial aid for immigrant families. If you are a U.S. citizen — even if both of your parents are undocumented — you are fully eligible for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study. The FAFSA does not ask about your parents’ citizenship or immigration status.

Your parents can create a StudentAid.gov account without a Social Security Number. When the FAFSA requests their SSN, they should enter 000-00-0000. If your parents have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), they can enter it in the designated ITIN field on the form.

However, there are important considerations around data safety in 2025 and 2026. The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has issued updated guidance noting that, given the current administration’s more aggressive stance on immigration, it cannot guarantee that FAFSA data will continue to be fully protected from use beyond financial aid purposes. Organizations like NCAN now recommend that mixed-status families carefully discuss whether to submit a FAFSA together, and consider consulting with a trusted immigration attorney or school counselor before filing.

If you are uncomfortable filing a FAFSA, check whether your state offers an alternative financial aid application. In California, students from mixed-status families can use the CADAA to access state aid. Some colleges will also accept alternative forms of financial documentation to assess your need for institutional aid.

The policy environment around higher education access for undocumented students is more volatile in 2025 and 2026 than it has been in decades. The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against Texas, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Oklahoma challenging the legality of their tuition equity laws under federal statute. Texas immediately repealed its 24-year-old Dream Act after the DOJ lawsuit, and Kentucky agreed to end in-state tuition for undocumented students. Florida passed legislation in early 2025 to revoke in-state tuition. Meanwhile, Minnesota and several other states continue to defend their tuition equity laws in court.

The Department of Education also issued an interpretive rule in July 2025 that seeks to classify various education benefits as “federal public benefits” restricted to citizens and eligible noncitizens under the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). This interpretation, if fully implemented, could affect states’ ability to offer in-state tuition and state financial aid to undocumented students.

What this means for you: the financial aid options available to you may change from year to year, and even from semester to semester. Before each academic year, revisit the Higher Ed Immigration Portal to check your state’s current policy. Stay connected with your school’s financial aid office and any Dream Resource Center or undocumented student support services on campus. Organizations like United We Dream, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), and the Presidents’ Alliance regularly publish policy updates.