CASO

State and private schools offer different advantages to undocumented students applying for college in Rhode Island. It is best to apply to several colleges, both public and private, so that you have a range of options to consider.

On the one hand, it is easier to know what to expect when applying to state colleges and universities. The policies of these schools are determined at the state level, so Rhode Island state schools all have the same policies toward undocumented students. State schools admit students regardless of their legal status. Furthermore, qualified undocumented students are eligible for lower, in-state tuition costs. This generally makes state schools more affordable than private schools. However, state schools generally have less private money available for scholarships and financial aid through their institutions.

Private colleges and universities are oftentimes more academically challenging than state schools, a factor that attracts many students. However, many private schools have little or no experience dealing with undocumented students, and there is no one set of policies that these schools follow in admitting undocumented students. Inevitably, some private schools are more willing to accommodate the concerns of undocumented students than others. Private colleges and universities are also more expensive than state schools, and the cost is the same for students regardless of their state of residence. However, once you are admitted, private institutions generally have more private source s of funding available to offer scholarships to students who cannot receive financial aid from government sources.

Because undocumented students cannot receive federal or state financial aid, they cannot submit an online FAFSA form. However, they may wish to fill out a FAFSA in order to determine their estimated family contribution (EFC).

If you are applying for private aid through a college or university, the school may need to know your estimated family contribution. In this case, download a copy of the FAFSA form, fill it out, leaving your Social Security number blank and marking “c. No, I am not a citizen or eligible non-citizen” in box 14. If you are a DACA student, you may include your social security number, but make sure to also mark "c" in box 14 on the form. Submit this form with your application to any private college(s) of your choice. Colleges and university can then determine whether you have a need and/or whether you are eligible for a merit-based scholarship and will then be able to provide you with a financial aid package.

When filling out the FAFSA form, if the student is a U.S. citizen but one or both of the parents are not the student is still eligible for federal student aid. It is important for the parent(s) to submit only a valid social security number (SSN), and not one that is legal solely for employment purposes, stolen or made up. If the parent provides an inaccurate SSN, the student’s FAFSA form will be rejected by the government. The parent should use 000-00-0000 on the FAFSA form if he/she does not have a SSN.

Under current law undocumented student cannot apply for state or federal financial aid. However, undocumented students can apply for private scholarships and awards for higher education. In this case, some private colleges and universities will require one or more supplemental forms to obtain information not included on the FAFSA. They may have their own forms or they may ask you to complete the College Board's College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile form.

There are several states that have passed laws providing in-state tuition to those students that have attended high school in their state for a minimum of three years - Rhode Island is one of those states. In September of 2011, the RI Board of Governors for Higher Education unanimously voted to change the policy that prohibited undocumented students from paying in-state tuition.

Under current law undocumented student cannot apply for state or federal financial aid. DACA recipients do not fit into any of the U.S. Department of Education’s categories for eligible non-citizens, and are currently ineligible to receive federal financial aid. They are also ineligible for most state financial aid programs. Therefore, most DACA students must explore other sources for outside funding.

Guidance Counselors and teachers must educate themselves on the rights, needs, obstacles and opportunities faced by undocumented students as well as the benefits and risks of becoming an ally.

The following are examples of the work that lays ahead for allies:

• An ally does not encourage students to act on matters that may compromise them when they have the opportunity to adjust their status.
• An ally finds legal alternatives that assist students to meet academic requisites when the students are excluded by law from regular participation in employment, federal and state aid, federal programs, paid internships, travel, or the use of identification forms that they do not have.
• An ally listens openly, yet does not interrogate the student about his immigration status.
• An ally does not “out” the student to others, without the student’s permission.
• An ally follows up on referrals to assess the effectiveness of the referral.
• An ally is committed to maintaining confidentiality and respecting the privacy of people who are undocumented.