Last Updated on 09/03/2026 by Ethan Sawyer
Written with Dr. Aliza Gilbert and Anna Martinez.
What Does It Mean to Be Undocumented?
The National Immigration Law Center defines an “undocumented” person as a foreign national who entered the United States without inspection or with fraudulent documents, or who entered legally as a nonimmigrant but remained in the U.S. beyond the terms of their status.
In other words: you are undocumented if you live in the U.S. but are not a citizen, legal permanent resident, or if your visa has expired.
Federal law does not explicitly prohibit undocumented students from attending college. However, undocumented students—including those protected by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—are ineligible to receive federal financial aid. In most states, undocumented students are also ineligible for state aid and often must pay out-of-state tuition at public universities. Some states prohibit or restrict undocumented students’ access to public universities altogether.
None of this means you can’t get a quality education in the United States. The tips below can help you navigate this process.
Nine Tips for College-Bound Undocumented Students
- Find a trusted ally. Identify a teacher, advisor, or mentor at your school who can help you navigate the admission and financial aid process. Having someone in your corner who understands the landscape makes a real difference.
- Find out what your state offers. Some states provide in-state tuition and/or state aid to qualified undocumented students. Look up state-by-state information to understand what you may be eligible for where you live.
- Build a broad college list. Include schools where your academic profile puts you at the top of the applicant pool. When researching colleges, call the admission office to ask whether undocumented students are classified as domestic or international students for admission purposes. Don’t put this in writing. If a college treats undocumented students as international students, this will likely affect your admission chances and sometimes makes acceptance more difficult—though you can still get into a great college with the right research.
- Ask directly about institutional aid. Call each college on your list to ask if they provide institutional scholarships and grant aid to undocumented students. If they do, it’s important to get on the admission counselor’s radar. This person can tell you which financial forms to submit in lieu of the FAFSA.
- Identify a supportive admission counselor. At each prospective college, look for someone with experience working with undocumented students, a solid working knowledge of the challenges you might face, and the willingness to support you through your education there.
- Be thoughtful about disclosure in your application. As of 2026, we would not recommend revealing your status in your application.
- Search broadly for scholarships. Explore all scholarship sites and online resources to see which are open to non-U.S. residents. Some recommended resources: Dreamers Roadmap, My Undocumented Life, Immigrants Rising, United We Dream, MALDEF, The Dream.US, and Golden Door Scholars. Many of these organizations also post additional scholarships on Instagram. Download the DACA Scholars App, and don’t forget to look locally—community-based scholarships are worth pursuing.
- Consider travel implications. Think about air travel immigration enforcement policies for each state you’re considering, as these may affect your ability to travel home if you’re exploring out-of-state colleges.
- Think of college as a four-year investment. You may qualify for more scholarships as a first-year student than as a transfer student.
Further Resources
- U.S. State Policies on DACA & Undocumented Students
- Guide for Undocumented Individuals Traveling in the U.S.
- Should I Come Out As Undocumented in My Personal Statement? (Part 1 of 2)
- How to Come Out As Undocumented in Your Personal Statement (Part 2 of 2)
- 15 Ways to Advocate for Undocumented Youth
- CEG Podcast Episode 101: Life As an Undocumented Student at Harvard
- CEG Podcast Episode 102: How to Advocate for Undocumented Students
- Four Things Undocumented Students Need to Know About Applying to College
- TheDream.US
