Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Undocumented Student FAQ

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What is DACA?

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals allowed some individuals who entered the country as minors and entered or remained in the country illegally to receive a renewable two year period of deferred action from deportation and to be eligible for a work permit.
What is an Undocumented Student?

An undocumented student is a foreign national who entered the United States illegally. Most college bound undocumented students: have lived in the U.S. most of their lives, were brought to the U.S. by their parents at a young age, learned English and think of themselves as American, attended elementary, middle, and high school in this U.S., excelled academically in high school and want to pursue a college education, and currently lack a way to become a U.S. legal citizen
I just finished high school and want to go to college. Will the fact that I am an undocumented student prevent me from continuing my education?

Student status does not prevent students from being admitted to college or a vocational program, or from enrolling in classes. Undocumented student status does limit the type of financial aid a student can receive and could impact tuition charges.
If I discuss my undocumented student status with a financial aid counselor, is he or she required to report me?

Financial aid counselors are not required by federal regulations to report undocumented students to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services who seek counseling or other services from the financial aid office.
If I have been approved for Deferred Action, am I able to complete the FAFSA?

As a noncitizen, you are unable to complete the FAFSA unless you have a Social Security Number. Deferred Action allows students to remain in the country; however it does not make such students eligible for federal student aid, even if students have a SSN.
I am an undocumented student, but I have lived in the U.S. since I was three years old. Am I eligible for financial aid to help pay for college?
Students are not eligible for federal financial aid such as Federal Pell Grants, Federal Work Study, and Federal Direct Student Loans. However, students may be eligible for financial aid from other sources, including college and private organizations.

Undocumented students can apply for an out-of-state waiver at UNF if they:
- Attended a secondary school in Florida for three consecutive years immediately before graduating from a high school in this state
- Applied for enrollment in an institute of higher education within 24 months after high school graduation
For additional outside private DACA scholarship information, visit any one of these resources:
Fastweb
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Latino College Dollars
Scholarships for Hispanics
Genesco Migrant Center
Mexican Scholarship Fund
SADCO Scholarship Program
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
La Plaza Scholarship and Financial Aid Guide
Florida Trend’s Next
I was born in the U.S. but my parents are undocumented. How does my parents’ status affect my eligibility for federal financial aid?

As a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to receive federal financial aid, regardless of your parents’ status. However, their status could prevent them from borrowing a Parent PLUS loan to help pay for college expenses. For more information about how this affects eligibility for federal student aid, contact the financial aid office at your school.
If I live in a state which allows undocumented students to pay in state tuition, do I have to do anything to be eligible to receive this benefit?
Students are not eligible for federal financial aid such as Federal Pell Grants, Federal Work Study, and Federal Direct Student Loans. However, students may be eligible for financial aid from other sources, including college and private organizations.

Undocumented students can apply for an out-of-state waiver at UNF if they:
- Attended a secondary school in Florida for three consecutive years immediately before graduating from a high school in this state
- Applied for enrollment in an institute of higher education within 24 months after high school graduation