Are you an undocumented student planning to go to college?
You are not alone. Roughly 525,000 college students in the United States are undocumented. That is nearly one-quarter of the country’s 1.9 million first-generation immigrant students, according to the latest numbers available on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. Immigrants, including undocumented students, are a core part of our nation’s college community.
Undocumented students can attend college and may have several options for financial aid and scholarships to help pay for college. But eligibility for in-state tuition, state financial aid and other college benefits varies widely by state—and the rules have been changing rapidly. Some states continue to expand college access and financial aid for undocumented students, while others have scaled back benefits or are defending their programs in court.
That makes it more important than ever to check the latest rules in your state before making college plans.
Work with your school counselor to find colleges that are a good fit for your interests, academics and budget. You’ll also need to think about how to pay for college as an undocumented student. While undocumented students generally aren’t eligible for federal financial aid, you may qualify for state financial aid, college grants and scholarships, private scholarships and other financial assistance. We explain your options below.
Can Undocumented Students Get Financial Aid?
Yes—but not from the federal government.
Some states also offer Dreamers and other undocumented students in-state tuition, state grants or other college aid. However, these policies vary widely by state and keep changing. Do some research to identify public and private financial aid options. We’ll get you started below.
Before you begin: Find a trusted advisor in your school or community to help. You may want to be careful when sharing your personal information with colleges or government agencies. An experienced counselor or advocate can offer advice and help you search for college financial aid.
Know Your Status: Are You an Eligible Non-Citizen?
Undocumented students, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, are not eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grants, federal work-study and federal student loans.
However, some non-U.S. citizens qualify as “eligible noncitizens” and may receive federal aid, so it’s important to confirm your exact immigration status.
Read Federal Student Aid’s guidelines: Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens to determine if you fall into any of the eligible categories. If you do, let your counselor know. School staff can help you complete the FAFSA — your first step in qualifying for federal grants and loans.
State Aid: Look for In-State Tuition and Grants
Work with a counselor or an adult you trust to find out what kinds of financial aid, including reduced tuition fees, are available in your state.
Start with our interactive State Funding Map, which includes information on state grant programs and resources available to all students, including those with undocumented status. Click on your state to find the agency in charge of in-state college aid programs and availabe financial aid.
For example, if you click on New York State, you’ll find a link to the NYS DREAM Act webpage, which provides clear information for undocumented students on how to qualify for New York’s popular Tuition Assistance Program and other state scholarships. There are other states with similar programs.
We also recommend using the map on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, which shows college aid available for undocumented students in each state.
Tip: If your state allows undocumented students to receive the cheaper in-state tuition, you should confirm with each in-state public college you’re applying to that you are eligible for in-state tuition. Tuition policies may vary by school and you’ll want to know what college will cost you before you apply.
College Scholarships and Programs
Check the websites for each college you’re interested in to see if they offer special programs or scholarships for undocumented students. If you can’t find it by searching the website, try typing “[your college name] and undocumented students” into a search engine.
If a college has an office, adviser, or program specifically supporting undocumented students, that’s both a good sign and a good place to start. You may still want to ask a trusted counselor or advocate for advice before sharing sensitive immigration information.”
Also: Be sure to take a look at the Higher Ed Immigration Portal’s list of partners, which includes top-notch organizations that offer a wide range of help for immigrant students.
Private Scholarships for Undocumented Students
This is an important source of money. College can be expensive, and you’ll need as much help as you can get. Browse the following list of national scholarship websites. Be sure to look for local opportunities as well. (Type “scholarships for undocumented students in [your state]” into a search engine.)
TheDream.US
TheDream.US offers substantial scholarships for undocumented students, with or without DACA or TPS. Its National and Opportunity Scholarships have different eligibility rules based in part on where you live and where you plan to attend college. Awards can be significant, so check the website for current requirements and participating colleges. The next application cycle opens November 1, 2026.
Immigrants Rising
This website features scholarships and fellowships available to students regardless of immigration status. At first glance, the list may seem a bit long and confusing, but you can sort and filter the options to make the search more manageable. It’s worth the effort. Also check out its affiliate, Immigrant BizHub, which helps undocumented and other immigrant students earn money through contracting, self-employment and other entrepreneurial opportunities.
United We Dream
United We Dream’s scholarship database is very similar to the list on Immigrants Rising. One key difference: this organization is led by young people and offers lots of resources and opportunities to learn from a student’s perspective. Read through the whole site.
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
MALDEF’s website offers a comprehensive list scholarships that don’t ask about your citizenship status that you’ll be able to print out or download to your computer.
My Undocumented Life
Looking for a website that has a wealth of news and help for undocumented students? This site features scholarship announcements — and so much more — for students, families, and professionals.
Scholarships.com
This is a big commercial site with a helpful list of scholarships for undocumented students. You’ll need to ignore the advertising, but it is relatively easy to use.
Also check out scholarship websites that serve a wide variety of students. Review the big sites we recommend, along with our advice on how to navigate them.
Final Takeaway
Having undocumented status doesn’t mean college is out of reach. Though you’re not eligible for federal aid, you may still have options including state aid, institutional grants, and private scholarships.
The key is to do your research and get help. Work closely with your school counselor or another adult you trust, as well as each college’s financial aid office before making enrollment decisions.
Emily Xie is an XR gameplay designer and Parsons School of Design graduate. She joined this website as a first-generation student mentoring NYC high school students for the Parsons Scholars Program. Advice: Support family. And go to lots of conferences to meet people.
Kim Nauer is founder of this website and a higher education expert at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School. She is a graduate of UConn and the Columbia Journalism School, which were cheap in the old days. Her advice: Don’t overpay for college. There are always options.