Post Secondary

Undocumented Students Information

YES COLLEGE IS POSSIBLE!! Colleges accept students regardless of immigration statutes. Extra steps can be involved with the application process and financial resource are limited but it is important to know your rights and have a plan! If you have any questions it is strongly encouraged to speak with your College and Career Coach to begin exploring options.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program children who came to the country under the age of 16 and prior to 2007 and meet other guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would then be eligible for work authorization. Deferred Action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion. Deferred Action does not provide an individual with lawful status. Deferred Action is not a pathway to citizenship or permanent residency, nor does it allow the individual to seek federal or state college financial aid. Students how are DACA recipients are not eligible to file a FAFSA.

Additional information can be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website:

In-State Tuition

Bill HB60, this law permits undocumented students who have attended and graduated from high school in Illinois to receive in-state tuition at state colleges and universities in Illinois. (DO NOT SELECT INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ON APPLICATIONS)

Requirements for In-State Tuition?

In order to qualify for HB60 In-State Tuition, an undocumented student must meet the following requirements:

student has lived in Illinois with his/her parent or guardian while attending public or private high school;
student has graduated from an Illinois public or private high school or received a GED from Illinois;
student has attended an Illinois high school for at least three (3) years;
student provides the university with an affidavit stating he/she will file an application to become a permanent resident of the U.S. once he/she becomes eligible to do so.

Tax Reporting – Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

Paying income taxes is the law for anyone who earns wages in the United States, including undocumented immigrants.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues an individualized taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have a U.S. tax filing or reporting requirement.

Important Note: ITINs are used for tax purposes only. Do not use it in place of a social security number (SSN) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Additional Resources:

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR)

ICIRR Students Guide Book

IACAC: College Advising Guide for Undocumented Students

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

Choose Your Future