What is DACA & Who Are Considered Undocumented?
The information provided below has been pulled from the Federal Student Aid website.
Undocumented students are students who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or “eligible noncitizens.”
Undocumented students are sometimes referred to as “Dreamers.” This term generally refers to undocumented youths who have lived in the United States from a very young age. The term “Dreamers” is derived from the legislation introduced in Congress and known as the “DREAM Act.” You can read more about the proposed “DREAM Act”.
Within the larger group of undocumented students, there is a subgroup of students who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
About DACA
DACA FAQ’s
Eligibility for Financial Aid
Resources
The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students and transgender students disqualified from federal financial aid due to failure to register for Selective Service (see Transgender Students area below for more explanation) to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a way for these qualified students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, the state’s largest need-based grant program for low-income college students.
Applying for ISAC Programs
Application for MAP: Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
Application Process for MAP
Applying for Other ISAC Programs
Additional scholarships can be found within your community. Ask your high school counselor or your college for more info. Also, there are community organizations that put together a list of scholarships available for DACA/Undocumented Students such as:
CAUSE Chicago; The Coalition of Advocates for Undocumented Students’ Education was founded on December 26th of 2018. Abbreviated to CAUSE, it exists to support, empower, grow, educate, and bring together clubs representing undocumented immigrants across CPS high schools.
