Financial Aid & Scholarships

ISRC - Abstract Background

Financial Aid & Scholarships

We can help find scholarships and aid.

Institution, state, and federal laws stop students with DACA or who are undocumented from receiving financial aid. However, private scholarships are available. We encourage DACA and undocumented students to contact us for help finding scholarships and other sources of financial aid. Check out the resources below for more information on FAFSA and scholarships.

FAFSA & Immigrant Families

The following steps apply only to students who are eligible to receive federal financial aid (e.g. U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents).

  1. Students should complete their portion of FAFSA.

  2. If parents/guardians are undocumented, list Social Security Number on FAFSA application as all zeros “000-00-0000.”

    • List all zeros even if an ITIN or SSN was used.

  3. For questions about taxes:

    • If parents/guardians did not file taxes, select "will not file"

    • If parent/guardians filed or will file taxes , select "tax return already completed" or "will file."

    • For any other questions about taxes, please contact our team.

  4. Parents/guardians' income must be entered manually because they will not be able to use the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Tool.

  5. Parents/guardians cannot create an online PIN. They must print, sign, and mail ONLY the signature page.

    • If the signature page is not sent in or processed within 6-8 weeks of completing the FAFSA, the form may be deleted and a student would have to start over.

    • Check the status of a signature page and form submission by logging in to fafsa.ed.gov periodically.

  6. It is very likely that a student’s FAFSA will be selected for verification at a college/university financial aid office

  7. The ISRC can help with any part of this process at immigrant@arizona.edu

  1. DACA students can use their SSN to complete FAFSA. (For step-by-step see FAFSA_DACA guide document).

  2. Important to not misrepresent your status & should select “No, I am not a US citizen or eligible non-citizen.”

  3. Students will receive a rejection letter because they do not qualify for aid. But can still use your EFC to show need for scholarships.

  1. Cannot fill out the FAFSA because they don’t have a SSN.

  2. “Need” for scholarships can be determined through alternative ways. Contact school or ISRC for suggestions.

  3. Undocumented students should not submit anything to FAFSA regarding their status.

Scholarship Options

UA President's Directed Scholarship

The UA President's Directed Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to current and incoming DACA students at the UA. To see if you qualify for this scholarship, please contact us.

 

Immigrants Rising - Undergraduate Scholarships

Immigrants Rising offers lists of scholarships that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. Therefore, scholarships are open to undocumented students.

Immigrants Rising - Graduate Scholarships

Immigrants Rising offers lists of scholarships that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. Therefore, scholarships are open to undocumented students.

ScholarshipsA-Z

ScholarshipsA-Z provides resources and scholarships to students, families, and educators through online and community interactions, in order to make higher education accessible to all regardless of immigration status.

Dreamer's Roadmap

Checkout this mobile app that connects undocumented students to scholarship opportunities.

UA Scholarships Universe

Checkout the scholarships offered through the UA's Scholarship Universe. Some of the scholarships offered do not require a Social Security Number.