Scholarships and Grants for DACA Students
If you’re an undocumented or DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) student, you might be trying to figure out how to cover the costs of college. While educational costs can be daunting, you may qualify for assistance from your state, college, or a private organization. In fact, there are a variety of scholarships and grants for DACA students that could help you finance your education. Read on for a closer look at your options for financial aid.
State and College Aid for DACA Students
Depending on where you live, you may have access to local and state-level financial aid for DACA students. To find out about opportunities, check with your high school guidance counselor or the financial aid office at your university.
In some cases, applying for state assistance will mean filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Keep in mind that you will need a Social Security Number (SSN) to submit the FAFSA form.
It may be possible to get an SSN as a DACA student. You can get information about applying for one at SSA.gov. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but they may access state or college aid or private scholarships.
Scholarships and Grants for DACA Students
There are several options for scholarships and grants for DACA students. Each has its own eligibility criteria, so make sure to read the requirements carefully so you know which ones you can apply for.
Some DACA student scholarships include:
- MPOWER Financing – At MPOWER there are a variety of scholarships available to students studying in the U.S. and Canada, including for DACA students.
- TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship – This is a scholarship worth US$80,000 that is aimed toward undocumented high school students who live in locked-out states, or states that don’t allow these students to enroll in state colleges and universities or don’t offer them in-state tuition rates.
- TheDream.US National Scholarship – Considered to be the Pell Grant for DACA students, this scholarship is aimed at high school and community college students who have financial need. Award amounts vary based on the cost of tuition and fees.
- Ascend Educational Fund – This fund provides scholarship awards between US$2,500 and US$20,000. It’s geared toward first- and second-generation immigrant students who are graduating from a high school in New York City.
- Questbridge National Match Scholarship – This full four-year scholarship is worth over US$200,000. It’s awarded to low-income high school seniors who have excelled academically.
- Golden Door Scholars – This scholarship program is available to DACA students with financial need who are interested in going into software engineering, nursing, data analytics, business analytics, or digital marketing.
- Cooke College Scholarship Program – The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides this scholarship of up to US$55,000 per year to students with a record of academic achievement.
- Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contest – If you’ve read any Ayn Rand novels, you can submit an essay to this institute to put yourself in the running for a scholarship award worth up to US$10,000.
What About the Pell Grant for DACA students?
The Pell Grant is a federal grant that is awarded to students with exceptional financial need who have not yet earned a degree. Unfortunately, undocumented students, including DACA students, are not eligible for the Pell Grant or other types of federal financial aid.
You are able to explore state and local financial aid and the scholarships and grants for DACA students listed above.
Final Word on DACA Student Grants and Scholarships
As a DACA student, you may face challenges finding financial assistance for college or university. You don’t have access to federal financial aid, such as grants and fixed-rate student loans, that are available to U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents.
If you can get a Social Security number, though, it’s still worth submitting the FAFSA to qualify for state-based financial aid. Plus, you can apply for grants and scholarships to boost your chances of accessing the financial aid you need and deserve.
