An undocumented, or someone without papers in a person who has entered the United States in the following way, without inspection, with false documents, according to the National Immigration Law Center.
Now, can you study in the USA without papers? If this is your case, in this article we will tell you if this is possible.
What should you know if you want to study in the USA without papers?
If you are thinking of studying in the United States and you do not have papers, then you must take certain things into account.
Away from legal realities, keep in mind that many undocumented students are often victims of circumstances that are totally out of their control.
Most of these students were brought to that country by their parents, when they were still young children. Although, they have learned English, have finished high school, and have managed to integrate into the communities and consider themselves as Americans.
However, it is possible to study in the USA without papers, undocumented students who have good grades, extensive volunteer experience and high scores have been able to verify that the path to obtain a degree is not as difficult as they thought.
But, in some states like Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, prohibit undocumented students from enrolling in public colleges, most of these colleges welcome them.
And they provide them with protection to make sure they reach their full potential. But beyond the level of cultural and social assimilation, many undocumented students face some unique challenges when applying to college.
And also, college students who are undocumented are not eligible to receive financial aid from the federal government, and they only receive financial aid from the state, but not all of them, only a handful of them.
How many undocumented students manage to graduate in the USA?
Recently, a report issued by The College Board, Young Lives on Hold, or in Spanish (Vida de Joven en Waita), approximately 65,000 undocumented students manage to graduate from high schools in the United States each year.
But, only 5-10% of those young people manage to enroll in university. This low number may be due to systemic obstacles, and it is very likely that another contributing factor to this is the misconception that many undocumented immigrants have that university is not a very realistic option for them due to their immigration status.
With this in mind, it is important for all undocumented students to explore those options and the resources available to them to help them pursue a college degree.
We know that students believe that their undocumented status will prevent them from attending university, they live in fear of being exposed, and of being deported if they apply for admission to universities.
But, there is nothing to worry about, the student can access a university without any problem or fear because, it is totally against the Law for Higher Education Institutions, to provide information on the immigration status of a student without prior approval.
What are the financial aids received by students without papers in the USA?
Although we know that students do not receive federal financial aid, there are many other financial aid options, these include scholarships, grants, private loans, and everything with the purpose of making the student career more affordable.
What is the DREAM Act, and how does it benefit undocumented students in the USA?
The Federal Law of Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or in Spanish Development, Relief and Education for Foreign Minors. Known as the DREAM Act, it is a legal instrument that serves as a symbol of hope for these undocumented youth.
If this bill is accepted and becomes law, it will give young children who were brought to the United States illegally as children the opportunity to gain citizenship in the country they know as home.
The DREAM Act, first proposed in 2001, has gone through several incarnations, all of which have been rejected by Congress.
Its latest version, which was recently introduced as the bipartisan DREAM Act of 2017, is intended to represent another opportunity to simplify the path of undocumented children and students to citizenship
