DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a status given to people who gained entry into the United States before they turned 16. The US government allows these children to get an education like any other child born and raised in the United States. However, getting a college education in the US is an expensive affair that is hard to accomplish without student loans.
Unfortunately for DACA students, there are no federal student loans available to aid in financing their journey in higher education. Wait though, if you are a DACA student, don’t throw in the towel yet. There are still a few things you can try to secure financial aid for your education.
DACA Students Can Get Help from the State
DACA students can get some financing at the state level in some states. Your eligibility entirely depends on the state you reside in. If your state is willing to offer aid, your school may ask you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application form to apply for financial assistance. The FASFA application form needs the applicant to provide a Social Security number. If you do not have one yet, you can apply as a DACA recipient.
These states offer DACA students financial aid;
- Connecticut
- Oregon
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Maryland
- Washington
- California
Can DACA Students Qualify For Private Student Loans?
If your state does not offer financial loans, you can consider getting private loans to cater to your educational needs. Private DACA student loans are harder to qualify for because they require a credit score or proof of income. Some firms may also ask for a co-signer or a guarantor as a form of security in case you fail to pay.
DACA student loan firms are in business, looking to make a profit, which explains their strict payback schedules, terms and conditions. Carefully go through the payment plans offered to find the best fit for your current and future situation.
Can DACA Recipients Receive Private Scholarships?
Private scholarships are the best bet for DACA students. Private scholarships do not require proof of US citizenship or permanent residency. They also do not need you to provide proof of income or a good credit score. If you can land a scholarship, you probably do not need to pay anything back. All you have to do is show up and study hard for your future.
Scholarships targeting DACA recipients include:
- Immigrants rising
- The Hispanic scholarship fund
- The dream.US
- Questbridge
Can Undocumented Students Apply for College?
What if a student does not have documents? Can they apply to get into college? The answer is yes. You can apply for college in any state except Alabama and South Carolina. The school you attend before college can have you classified as a DACA recipient, broadening your financial options. Check how your school has you listed to plan for your college life. To qualify for a loan in the United States, you need to have a Social Security number and employment eligibility.
Bottom Line
DACA recipients do not find it easy to secure a college education in the United States. Getting a college education unlocks many opportunities for DACA students and creates a way for more students to follow suit and meaningfully contribute to society. If your state does not offer financial aid, you can get funding from private student loan firms and micro-credit firms.
Private student loans offer interest rates from as low as 4% to as high as 8.7%. You can also seek DACA scholarships. Most scholarships go to students who show exceptional performance, grit and tenacity in the face of adversity. Many students apply for these scholarships, so you must work extra hard to stand out from the rest.