Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for other types of financial aid, including state financial aid.
Federal Student Aid:
Undocumented students, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, are not eligible for federal student aid but may still be eligible for other types of student financial aid (state aid, school aid, or private scholarships).
A parent/guardian’s citizenship or immigration status does not affect a student’s eligibility for federal student aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form does not ask about the parent/guardian’s citizenship status and the federal Higher Education Act prohibits the use of data for any purpose other than determining and awarding federal financial assistance. However, in light of the priorities publicly outlined by the Trump Administration, students and families should be aware of the potential risks associated with providing sensitive information to the U.S. Department of Education. Please see the National College Attainment Network’s November 2024 statement on this matter.
Washington State Financial Aid:
All Washington resident college bound students, regardless of immigration or citizen status, may apply for state aid through the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) administered by Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). Students and families who have concerns about submitting personal information to the federal government when applying for federal financial aid may consider applying for state aid through the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), which is available to undocumented students. The purpose of the WASFA is to provide eligibility information to colleges and universities in Washington state that offer the Washington College Grant and the College Bound Scholarship. WSAC shares application information with campuses listed by the student so those schools may determine the student’s eligibility for resident tuition and financial aid. Schools are not permitted to use the information for other purposes or share the data with other parties, unless required by a lawfully issued subpoena or judicial order.