The short answer is that you may qualify for financial aid, but it depends on where you live and your status. Individuals with DACA status or another form of protection, such as a student visa, may find it easier to qualify for government financial aid because they technically have legal status allowing them to remain in the country.
Full Answer
What is DACA?
What is DACA? - Undocumented Student Program IMPORTANT UPDATE – PLEASE READ (as of January 28, 2021) – Here’s what you need to know about DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS: On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum noting his administration’s intention to both preserve and fortify Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Is DACA an eligible immigration status for healthcare?
Deferred Action Status (Exception: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is not an eligible immigration status for applying for health insurance) Withholding of Deportation, or Withholding of Removal, under the immigration laws or under the Convention against Torture (CAT) (see note below)
What is deferred action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a kind of administrative relief from deportation. The purpose of DACA is to protect eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children from deportation. DACA gives young undocumented immigrants: 1) protection from deportation,...
Can I apply for DACA for the first time?
First-Time DACA Applicants: All eligible individuals should speak to a legal advocate about applying for DACA for the first time. In general, it is always a good idea for undocumented individuals to be screened for DACA as well as other possible immigration remedies.
Can DACA apply for student visa?
Yes, we welcome applications from all prospective students regardless of their immigration status. All students are reviewed under the same admission criteria regardless of status. You can learn more about USC's stance on DACA here.
What visa type is DACA?
H-1B visa holderWhile DACA is considered lawful presence, it is technically not a “status,” and so a sponsored immigrant will not be eligible to change status to that of an H-1B visa holder. The employer may file an H-1B petition while the sponsored immigrant is in the U. S., but the immigrant will have to leave the U.
Are DACA students international students?
To receive Federal funds from the Financial Aid Office a student must be a U.S citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. International students are required to secure funding for tuition and fees prior to the first day of class regardless of your loan application process.
What are DACA students considered?
DACA is an administrative relief that protects eligible immigrants who came to the United States when they were children from deportation. DACA gives undocumented immigrants: 1) protection from deportation, and 2) a work permit. The program requires that the DACA status and work permit be renewed every two years.
What is my immigration status if I have DACA?
Are DACA recipients U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents? DACA recipients are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The program does not grant them official legal status or a pathway to citizenship. However, a DACA recipient may be eligible for a marriage green card under certain conditions.
Is DACA a nonimmigrant visa?
Non-Immigrant Visa Petitions. DACA does not confer any non-immigrant status for this purpose. Thus, Dreamers seeking a temporary visa are in a similar position as those hoping to receive a green card through consular processing.
Can DACA get f1 visa?
No. Undocumented students, including DACA students and Dreamers, are not eligible for federal student aid. Most states and colleges use information collected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine whether you are eligible for aid.
Are DACA recipients temporary residents?
Is a DACA recipient authorized to be employed and subsequently complete residency? Yes. DACA recipients are eligible for work authorization and can receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), known informally as a “work permit,” from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Can people with DACA study abroad?
DACA students can study abroad and return to the United States when granted advance parole, using “educational” purposes as the reason for travel. Advance parole costs $360 and must be granted prior to departure from the United States.
Is a DACA recipient considered a nonresident alien?
In other words, you are definitely not a nonresident alien for income tax purposes, if you were granted DACA status. Instead, if you do not (yet) have US citizenship status, then you should instead consider yourself a resident alien for tax purposes.
Can DACA recipients get citizenship?
DACA recipients can submit DACA renewals every two years to keep their work authorization (work permit) and the ability to remain in the country. But, people with DACA status don't yet have a direct path to citizenship in U.S. immigration law.
What is a C33 visa?
C33. • An alien who has been granted Deferred Action for Childhood. Arrivals (DACA)
What is E1 visa in USA?
The E1 visa or otherwise called the Treaty Trader Visa is a US non-immigrant visa for all those who trade with the US. The trade must be between the US and an E1 visa country with which the US has a trade and investment treaty.
Do DACA recipients need visa sponsorship?
If you are a DACA recipient looking for a more permanent way to stay in the United States, you may be eligible for green card sponsorship by your employer or family member.
How old do you have to be to get a DACA?
Anyone requesting DACA must have been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012. You must also be at least 15 years or older to request DACA, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order, as summarized in the table below:
How to contact USCIS about DACA?
If you need further information and cannot find it in our Frequently Asked Questions, you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833. Representatives are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
How to contact USCIS for service request?
To make a service request, you must call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833. A USCIS representative will then forward your request to the proper USCIS office. Your service request will be reviewed for accuracy and USCIS will send you a letter informing you of its decision.
Is the DACA policy illegal in Texas?
On July 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas held that the DACA policy “is illegal.” The Court granted summary judgment on plaintiffs’ Administrative Procedure Act (APA) claims; vacated the June 15, 2012 DACA memorandum issued by former Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano; remanded the memorandum to DHS for further consideration; and issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the government’s continued administration of DACA and the reimplementation of DACA without compliance with the APA. The Court, however, temporarily stayed its order vacating the DACA memorandum and its injunction with regard to individuals who obtained DACA on or before July 16, 2021, including those with renewal requests.
Can you file a DACA renewal in Texas?
Consistent with this order (PDF, 401.59 KB), DHS will continue to accept the filing of both initial and renewal DACA requests, as well as accompanying requests for employment authorization. However, pursuant to the July 16, 2021 order from the Southern District of Texas, DHS is prohibited from granting initial DACA requests and accompanying requests for employment authorization . Also consistent with that order, DHS will continue to grant or deny renewal DACA requests, according to existing policy.
How to Apply
Follow the instructions on how to apply for first-year students. Or if you are a transfer student, you can learn about your options in the transfer overview.
DACA Tuition
DACA students who attended an Arizona high school for at least three years and graduated from an accredited Arizona high school or GED program may qualify for the 150% Arizona High School Tuition rate.
DACA Financial Aid
DACA students are eligible for the President’s Directed Scholarship Fund. They are ineligible for other university, state-funded, and federal aid or scholarships.
Additional Scholarship Resources
ScholarshipsA-Z is a Tucson-based immigrant youth-led organization that works to make higher education accessible to all students regardless of immigration status.
When does the DACA expire?
If you currently have DACA and your DACA status is set to expire before March 2021, you should apply to renew your DACA. If you had DACA previously but it expired or was terminated, you should consider applying for DACA. If you never had DACA in the past, you should be eligible to apply under this Supreme Court decision.
DO I QUALIFY FOR OTHER IMMIGRATION BENEFITS?
The UC Berkeley Undocumented Student Program Legal Team regularly screens new clients for additional immigration benefits such as a family-based green card, U visa ( victims of crimes in the U.S. ), T visa ( survivors of labor or sex trafficking), asylum (for people who fear persecution in their countries of origin) or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) (for children under 21 who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent), and fully represents clients in seeking these additional benefits. Many undocumented Berkeley students and graduates are already in line for a more permanent legal status due to our comprehensive legal services program. The USP Legal Team has also helped former international students at UC Berkeley gain a more stable, and permanent legal status.
CAN I CONTINUE TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY EVEN IF I LOSE DACA?
Yes. Undocumented students, with or without DACA, are welcome on our campus and should continue to pursue higher education.
CAN I CONTINUE TO WORK IF AND WHEN DACA EXPIRES?
When your current DACA work permit expires, you will be out of status, and start accruing unlawful presence . It is critical that you speak with your immigration attorney about other legal options that may exist for you to continue working and legally residing in the United States.
WILL I LOSE MY FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE IF MY DACA EXPIRES?
In-state-tuition benefits in California, such as AB-540, the California DREAM Act, and the California DREAM loan program, remain in place as these are state benefits. If you have specific questions about your eligibility with regards to these state-level higher education benefits or your ability to repay the DREAM Loan, please contact Liliana Iglesias or Meng So at USP.
CAN I CONTINUE TO TRAVEL TO OTHER STATES IF I AM UNDOCUMENTED OR IF I LOSE DACA STATUS?
Undocumented immigrants have traveled to other states, including Hawaii and Alaska, in the past, with an unexpired passport from their consulate , or a government-issued identification document issued by the state of California, though they should fully understand and evaluate the risk of doing so to themselves under a new political Administration. When in doubt, consult with your attorney.
WILL YOU PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMMIGRATION APPLICATION FEES?
The Undocumented Student Program has provided fee assistance to undocumented students since its inception in 2012. We will continue to do so while funding lasts. Other community partners, such as the Mission Asset Fund, the Mexican Consulate, and various non-profits have also stepped up efforts to provide full financial scholarships for DACA applications fees to ensure that those who can renew their DACA status can do so. A great guide for all workshops and fee-assistance programs is available here.
What is Dreamzone ASU?
DREAMzone ASU – DREAMzone is a resource for the Arizona State University community in support of our undocumented, DACA, and students with families of mixed immigration status. There, you can find resources (at ASU and in the community) for support, and hear from current students or alumni about their experiences.
Can a DACA recipient be removed?
Despite possessing this advance permission to return to the United States, a returning DACA recipient is considered an applicant for admission and could still be subject to removal proceedings based upon applicable grounds of inadmissibility.
Can undocumented students participate in global education?
Undocumented students have the opportunity to participate in Global Education programs through the Department of Homeland Security's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals memorandum (DACA). This page is intended to provide general information to students, parents and university employees regarding DACA and Global Education. This information is not to be considered as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.
Can a DACA student return to the US?
Depending on the DACA student’s specific immigration history, departure from the U.S. and attempted use of an Advance Parole Document may not result in their successful return to the U.S. and could have serious negative consequences for their future immigration process.
What is IRCA legalization?
Applicant for Legalization under Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) Legalization under the LIFE Act. Remember: Information about immigration status will be used only to determine eligibility for coverage and not for immigration enforcement.
Is DACA an immigration status?
Deferred Action Status (Exception: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is not an eligible immigration status for applying for health insurance)