Undocumented young people, sometimes called Dreamers, have different levels of accessibility to higher education depending on where they live. Some states have passed their own version of the Dream Act or additional pieces of legislation that provide benefits for those who are undocumented. At least 22 states have laws that make higher education more affordable for undocumented college students. States where undocumented immigrants qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid offer some of the best options for higher education for undocumented students. However, students should check eligibility requirements to make sure they qualify. States with Laws Increasing Higher Education Access for Undocumented Students Both In-State Tuition & State Financial Aid California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C. In-State Tuition Only Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Utah Most of these laws require students to have lived in the state for a specific amount of time, attended school, and/or graduated high school in the state to qualify. The National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Immigration Law Center both provide state-by-state information related to tuition benefits for undocumented students pursuing higher education.
View our College Guide for Latinx Students to learn more.