Advancing the collective impact of scholarship providers and the scholarships they award.

DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD

ARRIVALS

•Low opportunity to legalize status•Cannot get driver’s license•Cannot travel outside of U.S.•Language barriers for parents•High financial need•Negative stigma for being undocumented

Challenges for undocumented students and families

● DEFERRED ACTION POLICY

● WHO BENEFITS

● RESOURCES

OBJECTIVE

KEY TERMS

DREAM Act

DACA Beneficiary DACAmented

DREAMerDreamer

● What deferred action IS:

○ Administrative policy since June 15, 2012

○ Ability to remain in U.S. without being deported for 2 years

○ Ability to APPLY for work authorization

■ You can also apply for a social security number

○ DACA is renewable every 2 years

WHAT IS DACA?

● What Deferred Action IS NOT:

○ Not permanent

○ DREAM Act

○ Ability to travel freely in and out of U.S.

○ Legal Status

■ Citizenship

■ Legal Permanent Residence (“green card”)

■ Amnesty

WHAT IS DACA?

● Study of 244 respondents who meet the DACA requirements, but

have not applied to the program; why?

○ More than 43% of DACA-eligible non-applicants indicated that

they could not afford the $465 application fee.

○ 10% indicated that they did not know how to apply.

○ 22% of non-applicant respondents in study indicated that they did

not apply because of missing paperwork,

○ 17% did not apply because of legal concerns.

○ Nearly 15% of respondents in study reported not applying for fear

of sending their personal information to the government.

CHALLENGES APPLYING FOR DACA

APPLYING FOR DACA

● You may be considered for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals if you:

○ 15 years old or older and under 31 on June 15, 2012

○ Came to the U.S. before 16th birthday without a visa, or your visa has expired

○ Lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to now

○ IN SCHOOL, or graduated from High School or GED

○ Don’t have criminal history that disqualifies

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM DACA?

● Out of the 2.2 million undocumented immigrants who would benefit from DACA, approximately 57% currently meet the DACA age requirement and the education eligibility criteria

PROFILE OF A DACA BENEFICIARY

● 42% of DACA-eligible youth who do not meet the education requirement live in families with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level.

○ 77% live in families with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level.

● 69% of DACA-eligible youth who do not meet the education requirement are classified as “Limited English Proficiency”

PROFILE OF A DACA BENEFICIARY

● USCIS (United State Citizenship & Immigration Services)

● National Immigration Law Center

● Immigration Policy Center

● Immigration Legal Resource Center

RESOURCES

● Unitedwedream.org

○ DACA Renewal Network

■ unitedwedream.org/dacarenewal

○ Own the Dream - DACA

■ Weownthedream.org

■ National Hotline 855-373-2631

● Pocket DACA

○ Free app

○ Legal Help

○ FAQs

RESOURCES

● National Immigration Law Center

● Migration Policy Institute

● American Immigration Council: Immigration Policy Center

● United We Dream Dream Educational Empowerment Program (DEEP)

● United State Citizenship & Immigration Services

SOURCES

Carolina Ramirez

United We Dream Houston Field Organizer

Office 713-863-1422

Cramirez@unitedwedream.org

Contact us for information

Maria Luna-Torres, Director, Public Policy & Advocacy, TG maria.luna-torres@tgslc.org

Navigating the College Financial Aid Process for Undocumented Students

● Learn about in-state tuition law in Texas concerning undocumented students

● Gain understanding about the financial aid process for undocumented students

● Share resources to help students

Objectives

● H.B. 1403 ― passed in 2001 by Texas Legislature● S.B. 1528 ― updated law in 2005● State law classifies eligible undocumented

students as Texas residents for purposes of paying tuition at public institutions.

● Undocumented students eligible for state financial aid at Texas public colleges & universities.

● Currently, 17 states have in-state tuition laws.

Texas in-state tuition law

Undocumented students and students in immigration process● Graduate from high school/receive a GED in TX● Reside in TX for at least three consecutive years

before graduation or receiving GED● Reside in TX for at least one year leading up to

college enrollment● Sign a notarized Affidavit of Intent

Requirements for in-state tuition

Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)An application used by financial aid administrators at most Texas colleges and universities to determine a student’s eligibility for state financial aid

Applying for Financial Aid

● Over 100 college/university participants● Form first released in 2006-2007 award year

-Reduces student anxiety and intimidation-Helps institutions apply the law -Creates consistent process

Overview of the TASFA

● Total of 42 questions vs. 100 in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)–Section I: Student Information and Dependency–Section II: Household Information–Section III: Tax Filing Status/Additional Information(e.g. enrollment)–Section IV: Untaxed Income and Assets–Section V: Total Family Income/Explanation–Section VI: Selective Service Registration–Section VII: Signatures

Overview of the TASFA

● September – December (fall of senior year) –Apply for admission–Fulfill residency requirements set by S.B. 1528(e.g. complete affidavit)–Register with Selective Service (males)

● January – March (winter/spring of senior year)–File taxes: Minimum income requirements set by IRS–Verify college included in Appendix A of TASFA–Complete TASFA–Mail TASFA directly to the college’s financial aid office–Follow up with the college

Timeline - Completing TASFA

● TEXAS Grant● Texas Equalization Grant (TEG)● Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)● Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)

● Top 10% Scholarship Program - renewal students only ● State exemption programs (e.g., valedictorian)● Texas College Work-Study Program (e.g. DACA students)

State aid programs for TASFA applicants

● Federal aid is not available to undocumented students. (student loans, Pell Grant, work-study)

● College Access Loan (CAL) - state loan that requiresa cosigner who is a permanent resident or U.S. citizen.The student’s immigration status is not considered.

Limited options

● Texas Financial Aid Information Center–Call 1-888-311-8881–Send email: TXFinAidInfo@tgslc.org–Monday – Friday (bilingual representatives)

● TG’s public service website Adventures In Education (AIE™)–Download Application, Checklist & Instructions–Watch TASFA video–Access TASFA PPT

● http://www.AIE.org/State/TASFA/

Resources

For Scholarship Providers:

Comments/Suggestions from undocumented college graduates

“It is important for scholarships to spell out that they are undocumented student friendly. An example: "Open to U.S Citizens, Legal Residents, and undocumented students..."

“Also, while many of our DACA students manage and excel as they juggle a job and their academics, this (managing multiple priorities) is still tough for many teenagers so not having a strict GPA requirement or looking at other strengths would be helpful”

Be explicit about scholarship eligibility requirements

“Ensure education leaders are well versed in supporting teachers and students. Make info easily accessible to teachers such as training by district or mailing the scholarships to teachers.”

-Erika, Spanish Teacher in Houston

Disseminate scholarship information through teachers

“I would encourage providers to connect their recipients with potential paid and unpaid internships. Work experience in your field (as minimal as it can be) can really make a difference once you start working full time.” - Loren, Master in Civil Engineering in Houston

Share opportunities for internships

“What about scholarships for undocumented students without DACA? I think it should also be clear that they can apply for a scholarship or not.”

“Keep in mind the complex family dynamics in our communities. Some undocumented kids may not have their parents with them and I know sometimes you have to put your parent's info (similar as with the TASFA) or provide their tax info.” -Karla, 2015 Honors Graduate from UH Bauer Business School and 2018 JD Candidate

Be mindful of all undocumented students (not just DACA)