0320-01

Accessing college as an undocumented student

In

ECMC is committed to the success of all students, regardless of their immigration status. In this changing economy, skills and qualifications that are obtained through education beyond high school are becoming more important to earning a family-wage job. We’ve gathered some resources to help guide you through the process of accessing and succeeding in college as an undocumented student in Virginia.

In-state tuition equity Merit- and need-based funding · Hampton Sydney According to The VA DREAM Act (there are two different Migration Policy Institute, versions that were passed in the VA House · approximately 28,000 and Senate in February 2020) • Marymount Dreamers grant, $5,500 undocumented students Virginia students who meet one of the • Merit-based scholarships from reside in Virginia. following criteria are eligible to pay in-state $10,000-$16,000 tuition at Virginia public : • Work scholarships · House and Senate version: Attended high · school in Virginia for at least two years • Merit-based scholarships from $17,000-$29,000 · House and Senate version: Graduated • Full financial aid packages from from a Virginia high school (or received an $17,000-$40,000 equivalent certification) since July 1, 2008 · · Senate version: Filing for income tax • Meets 100% demonstrated financial returns by student or legal guardian for need for all admitted students, at least two years prior to date of college regardless of citizenship or enrollment immigration status Contact your college admissions office for · Washington and Lee University additional information. • Meets 100% demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, Virginia Foundation for regardless of citizenship or Independent Colleges (VFIC) immigration status Merit-based funding only The VFIC is a statewide organization that raises money to support the 15 leading · independent colleges and universities in · Virginia. Through VFIC, there are a variety • of merit- and need-based funding options From $24,000-$28,000 available:

(Continues on back)

www.ecmc.org · Help yourself · Meet or exceed college placement • From $16,000-$24,000 requirements Some high schools have partnership · agreements with local schools in the · Receive a recommendation from a high • Up to $12,000 Virginia Community College System to school official · Randolph-Macon College provide dual enrollment programs free · Have parental consent provided prior to of charge. It’s important that students • From $18,000-$41,200 (full tuition) student enrollment and their parents understand the amount · of work necessary to succeed in dual Home-schooled students are also eligible • From $3,000-$20,000 enrollment courses is greater than what for the program. These students are urged is necessary to succeed in high school to contact their local community college to · courses. In addition, dual enrollment discuss the options available to them. • Up to $11,000 courses become part of a student’s · permanent college transcripts so it’s Keep your grades up • Up to $32,000 essential that students do well in these courses to realize all the benefits of dual Make yourself a competitive candidate · Virginia enrollment, which include: for college admissions and scholarship • Amount varies applications by keeping your grades · A quality, affordable education close to up, taking challenging classes and Scholarships home participating in extracurricular activities. · Enriched course opportunities for Some selective, private, independent There are many scholarship providers outstanding high school students both in schools offer very generous financial aid who are interested in helping students, academic coursework and in career and packages to outstanding high school regardless of their immigration status. The technical education students, regardless of immigration status. following resources have scholarships, The more comprehensive your application both nationally and Virginia-based, which · Entering college with credits applicable to is, the more options you will have for your undocumented students may be eligible a student’s degree program education beyond high school. for: · Gaining an understanding of the rigor of · www.studentsunited.org/dreamers-1 college work as well as college faculty Need more information? expectations · https://finder.hsf.net The College Place is here to help you · Access to college resources, facilities with free college-planning resources and · www.page-ed.org/scholar-applicants and services such as advising and career personal advice. Visit our website at www.ecmc.org. · https://immigrantsrising.org/wp-content/ counseling uploads/Immigrants-Rising_Applying-for- Scholarships.pdf Interested students must first speak with their guidance counselor about the dual · www.thedream.us/scholarships enrollment program options available and contact their local college to register and https://www.maldef.org/resources/ · take the college placement exam. Students scholarship-resources/ must also meet the following criteria: · www.scholarshipsaz.org/scholarships · High school juniors or seniors attending a public or private school (exceptional You may also do your own internet freshman and sophomores may be eligible scholarship search using terms such as with approval from both high school “non-need based,” “merit-based” or “no principal and college president) FAFSA required.”

www.ecmc.org