Latinx Student Services created this page to address DACA concerns and to create, develop, and share solutions on how our team can support these communities in Idaho. By sharing these frequently asked questions, we hope to provide support for these students and give them knowledge they can use in their future.
Many students fear they cannot attend college due to their status; however, this is a myth, along with many others, that discourages students desiring higher education. We would like to bring awareness to these students and campus community. All students are encouraged to read these FAQs to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I am undocumented and live in Idaho. Can I go to college?
Yes! Federal law does not prohibit undocumented students from attending college.
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How will I pay for it? Am I eligible for in-state tuition or financial aid?
Students must be living in Idaho, and must meet one of the criteria as listed in STU 110 - Residency Policy. Currently, DACA students are eligible for some state scholarships. You can find more information on the Idaho State Board of Education scholarship page. It is important to note high school DACA students are eligible for Fast Forward funding to take Dual Credit classes.
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I have DACA. What next?
Complete a Residency Determination Worksheet.
You must also attach a copy of the letter which you received from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) notifying you of your DACA status. You must submit your online or paper application for your chosen college or university with the required admission fee. For more information contact the Latinx Student Services Coordinators to help you find answers specific to College of Western Idaho.
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I do not qualify for DACA. What do I do?
Apply for private scholarships without citizenship requirements.
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My DACA status will expire before I will graduate. What will that mean for paying tuition?
Contact the Latinx Student Services Coordinators to help you find answers specific to College of Western Idaho, and your financial situation.
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Am I eligible to federal financial aid if I am undocumented?
No, however you can apply to scholarships that do not require citizenship status. See “Where can I find Scholarships?” FAQ for resource information.
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I need to fill out a Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Does that mean I can’t apply? What do I do?
CWI uses the Student Aid Estimator to estimate financial need for DACA students. Some colleges request that you fill out a FAFSA for internal aid purposes. In this case, undocumented students without DACA can fill in “0’s” for the social security number (000-00-0000); students with DACA would fill in their social security number like any other student, but are still ineligible for federal aid.
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I am afraid of disclosing my status to my high school counselor. Is there anyone else who can help me navigate the college and financial aid application process?
You are not alone:
- Almost 30,000 U.S. citizens in Idaho have at least one undocumented family member
- Undocumented immigrants represented about 42 percent of Idaho’s immigrant population and 2.7 percent of the state population in 2014
- 58,327 people in Idaho, including 26,926 individuals born in the United States, had at least one undocumented family member between 2010-2014.1
Numerous organizations in Idaho may be able to answer questions or help connect you to people who can help you answer your questions:
- The Community Council of Idaho
- Catholic Charities of Idaho
- The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho
- Centro de Comunidad y Justicia
The Latinx Student Services Coordinators might also be able to help you find answers specific to College of Western Idaho for you to apply to.
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Where can I find scholarships?
For scholarship information please see our Grants & Scholarship page.
Here is a list of scholarships without a citizenship requirement:
- Act on a Dream at Harvard - https://actonadream.squarespace.com/scholarship-database
- MALDEF - https://www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resources/
- Scholarships A-Z - http://www.scholarshipsaz.org/scholarships/
- The Dream.US - https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/
- USHLI - (Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship - http://www.ushli.org/
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Where can I find more information?
Here are some places to start your search:
- Download Dreamer’s Roadmap Mobile App
- Visit Immigrant Rising website for information about college attendance, scholarships and financial aid for undocumented students
- Watch United We Dream’s short video “I have DACA and I can fill out the FAFSA? Say What!”
- Visit the National Immigration Law Center’s website for updates on DACA and other immigration issues
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