The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) prevents undocumented immigrants from getting deported. Around 700,000 people in the United States have DACA status. To qualify, you must have entered the U.S before June 2007, before turning 16. With DACA, it is possible to remain in the United States on renewable work permits.
About two thirds of people with DACA status are under the age of 25. Many are looking to get a college education. Unfortunately, college costs are way beyond the reach of what they can afford.
Furthermore, many states deny them access to in-state tuition. Among those states are Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. States like California, New Mexico, and Texas allow DACA students to pay in-state-tuition.
In both cases, the costs of a college education are burdensome. Many universities and organizations want to help undocumented students succeed. They award DACA scholarships to help students get a college education.
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DACA students aren’t eligible to receive any form of federal financial aid. Federal financial aid only awards students who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
Though they can’t receive federal financial aid, DACA students can get state financial aid. States decide their own policies about DACA students.
Some states are more generous than others. States like New York and New Mexico offer in-state tuition benefits to DACA students. To receive the benefits, students must attend high school in the state for more than three years.
DACA students in New York can apply to theExcelsior Scholarship. This free-tuition program allows students to attend CUNY and SUNY schools tuition-free.
Students in California can file the California Dream Act. The act helps undocumented students receive certain types of financial aid. This includes private scholarships and state financial aid. It also includes university grants and community college fee waivers.
DACA students should look into universities which allow them to pay in-state tuition. Private colleges also sometimes have special funds for undocumented students.
DACA students can also apply for scholarships for undocumented immigrants. There are all kinds of scholarships that can be won. There are ethnicity-based scholarships, scholarships depending on major, and merit scholarships.
Are DACA Students Eligible for Pell Grants?
Pell Grants are a form of federal financial aid that helps students pay for college. Recipients must be U.S citizens or permanent residents. Therefore, DACA students aren’t currently eligible for Pell Grants or any other form of federal aid.
Can DACA Students Apply for Scholarships?
DACA students looking to get a college education should apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships which aim to help DACA students. There are also scholarships which don’t require U.S citizenship. DACA students should always read the fine print of scholarships to check.
DACA Scholarships
Here are a list of a few scholarships that DACA students can apply to:
This is the biggest scholarship for DACA students. There are two different scholarships. The U.S national scholarship awards first-time college students and community college graduates. Students can get as much as $14,500 for an associate’s degree and $29,000 for a bachelor’s degree.
The second scholarship is the Opportunity Scholarship. Students who can’t receive in-state tuition or attend their state colleges are eligible. They can get up to $80,000 for tuition, meals and campus housing.
The Create Real Impact Scholarship is a scholarship contest. Applicants must create an original solution to solve reckless driving. DACA students may apply. Students may win $1,500.
SEG awards between $500 to $10,000 every year to students who want to study geophysics in college. Applicants must have high grades and be planning to go to college next year. They do not need U.S citizenship.
Becca’s Closet awards several scholarships to DACA students. To win, students must be involved with community service in high school. They can win $1,000.
There are a total of 17 scholarships that DACA students may apply to. They must be active members of the United Methodist Church for at least 1 year and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. They also must have plans to pursue a degree at an accredited university.
The Mexican-American Dream Scholarship awards undocumented students. Applicants must be full-time students pursuing their bachelor’s or associate’s degree. They must be attending school in one of several California counties.
The HSF Scholarship awards students of Hispanic heritage with scholarships. Applicants may be high school seniors, undergraduate or graduate students. Students may receive between $500-$5,000. DACA students are eligible.
Final Thoughts
DACA students deserve a college degree like any other student. If you are an undocumented immigrant, do not give up on your dreams. Seek out the resources that will help you achieve the education you deserve.
David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.
