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Scholarships for Undocumented Students

Despite heated controversy over immigration laws as it appears on the nation's political agenda, at least seventeen states allow non-native students to pay in-state tuition after having passed a tuition equity bill. While they may seem scarce, there are plenty of scholarships for undocumented students. Not all scholarships will explicitly call for "undocumented" students - they may require students to have a specific status such as DACA, AB 540, etc. Some scholarships may not even ask about immigration status or citizenship, so you may qualify for those scholarships if you are currently undocumented. Make sure to check your state's immigration laws and policies when applying for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, in addition to reading all scholarship eligibility requirements.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an American immigration policy that allows certain undocumented students who entered the country before their 16th birthday and before June 2007, to receive a renewable, two-year work permit and exemption from deportation. In some states, like in California, AB 540 students may qualify to attend college and pay in-state tuition; being exempt from paying non-resident tuition. Be sure to know your status and all the eligibility requirements when applying for these kinds of scholarships.

There are specific organizations such as TheDream.Us that help immigrant youth and undocumented students who have received DACA status achieve their American Dream through the completion of a college education. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund also provides students a scholarship program, regardless of their immigration status, as long as students can demonstrate a commitment to advancing Latino civil rights through their career.

Not only do such organizations provide scholarship programs and opportunities, but they also have education resources based on your state - be sure to check your current or prospective college's scholarship and financial aid opportunities to help fund your college education. You may need to conduct some personal research and stay updated on immigration policies, as they are constantly fluctuating and may have some gray areas. Even if a state does not have a DREAM Act, schools may offer merit scholarships that are not tied to federal funding. And remember to conduct a free search to see what scholarships you may be eligible for.

Below are just some scholarships available to undocumented students, or ones that do not request immigration status or citizenship. Read the eligibility and status requirements carefully when applying. You can find more information on these and other awards by completing a profile and conducting a free college scholarship search on Scholarships.com.

First in the Family Humanist Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 6/14/2020
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Four (4) $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District ONLY) seniors who will be the first in their immediate families to go to college. Preference will be given to students who are (or have been) in foster care, homeless, undocumented students and/or LGBTQ, or system-involved. A two to three paragraph essay must accompany the application (between [...] More

Freedom From Religion Foundation Catherine Fahringer Memorial Award

  • Application Deadline: 6/21/2020
  • Amount: $2,500
  • The First In The Family Freedom From Religion Foundation Catherine Fahringer Memorial award is available to high school youth who live in the U.S. who identify as atheist, agnostic, humanist and/or secular, and are accepted into two or four-year colleges. Preference is given to students of color (Black/African American, Latino(a), Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American) who are (or have been) in [...] More

Single Parent Professional Certification Scholarship of Northwest Arkansas

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $500
  • The Professional Certification Scholarships are for students pursuing certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, or in Phlebotomy from UAMS/Schmieding Center, Petra Allied Health, PRN, NTI, or NWACC. Applicants must be a single parent and a U.S. resident or a resident with DACA Status, and a resident of Carroll, Madison, or Washington County, Arkansas. Must be [...] More

South Carolina Teaching Fellows

  • Application Deadline: 12/1/2020
  • Amount: $24,000
  • The Fellowship is awarded each year to as many as 175 high school seniors. Fellows receive up to $24,000 in funds while they complete a degree leading to teacher licensure. A Fellow agrees to teach in a South Carolina public school one year for every year he or she receives the fellowship. For information, or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More

Student Excellent Equals Degree (SEED) Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/15/2020
  • Amount: Varies
  • If you attend a Delaware high school, keep your grades up and stay out of trouble, you can go to Delaware Tech tuition-free with aid from the Student Excellent Equals Degree (SEED) Scholarship.
    -Must be a new, full-time first-year student (12 credits or more) at Delaware Technical Community College no later than the fall semester immediately after the student's graduation from a Delaware public [...] More

The Anhelo Project Dream Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 1/26/2020
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Anhelo Project is a Chicago based non-profit organization that works to support undocumented students pursuing a post-secondary education within the State of Illinois. The Anhelo Project has awarded over $120,000 to more than 55 recipients pursuing their dream to achieve an education beyond high school. Students do not need to have DACA status, and we strongly encourage undocumented students [...] More

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund College Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 4/19/2020
  • Amount: $5,000
  • HSF/ General College Scholarships are designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage in obtaining a college degree. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to graduating high school seniors, community college transfer students, undergraduate students and graduate students. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage and have a minimum of 3.0 GPA for high school students. A minimum of 2.5 [...] More

The Pinnacol Foundation College Scholarship Program

  • Application Deadline: 2/15/2020
  • Amount: $4,500
  • The Pinnacol Foundation College Scholarship Program ensures that the children of seriously injured and killed Colorado workers have the opportunity to pursue their dreams by continuing their education. Applicants must be the natural child, adopted child, stepchild or full dependent of a worker who was injured or killed in a compensable work-related accident during the course and scope of [...] More

TheDream.US Community College Graduate Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/8/2020
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Community College Graduate Scholarship is available to community college students with demonstrated financial need who have earned their associate's degrees and seek to complete their bachelor's degrees at one of our four-year Partner Colleges. Students who are currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program are not eligible. Scholars are selected from a nationwide pool of applicants. To be [...] More

United Methodist GBHEM Doctorate Level Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/7/2020
  • Amount: $10,000
  • GBHEM Scholarships administers scholarship programs with one general application. Criteria for each scholarship program varies. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA person and be an active member of The United Methodist Church for at least one year. Applicants must have a masters degree and be enrolled in a doctoral program for ministry. A minimum 2.5 GPA is also [...] More

United Methodist GBHEM Ministry as a Career Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2020
  • Amount: $12,500
  • Ministry as a Career Scholarships offers 17 total scholarships. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA status students and must be an active full member of The United Methodist Church for at least 1 year (International applicants must be active full members for at least 3 years. Other Methodist denominations are not eligible). Applicants must be pursuing a degree program [...] More

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Last Reviewed: January 2020

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