Advising Undocumented Students & Mixed-Status Families in the U.S.
Talking Points, Tips, and Resources for Navigating College and Financial Aid Conversations
Last updated October 22, 2025
| Term | Definition / Includes |
|---|---|
| Undocumented students |
Students who do not have legal immigration status. This can include students who:
|
| Temporary Legal Status |
Students may have legal status in the U.S., but due to the nature of their status may not
qualify for federal benefits; they may qualify for state programs like CADAA. This can include:
|
| Students from Mixed-Status Families (MSFs) |
Students who have legal immigration status and qualify for FAFSA, but have contributor(s)
(e.g., parents, legal guardians, or spouse) who are undocumented and do not have legal status.
This can include students who are:
|
For the full list of those that qualify for FAFSA, click here.
1 I don’t know if I should apply for FAFSA or not.
Sample talking points:
“Depending on your immigration status, you may qualify for FAFSA or alternative financial aid. Let’s walk through the eligibility criteria and help you find out what you qualify for. If you’re unsure about your status or don’t feel comfortable answering certain questions, that’s completely okay—you don’t have to answer them right now.”
Tip: Students may feel uncomfortable disclosing their immigration status or may be unsure what their status is. Because of this, reviewing eligibility for FAFSA in tandem with alternative financial aid applications helps inform students of their options without requiring them to disclose their immigration status. Learn what your state offers or speak with students about alternatives like CSS Profile.
2 I can’t afford to go to college because of my immigration status.
Sample talking points:
“Students may qualify for financial aid, even if they’re not U.S. citizens or green card holders. Let’s walk through the eligibility criteria so you can determine what you qualify for.”
Tip: Undocumented students can sometimes qualify for state and institutional financial aid. Learn what your state and campus offers and walk through eligibility with students. There are also alternative financial aid options you can encourage students to seek, like CSS Profile, Dream.US, and Immigrants Rising’s List of Scholarships and Fellowships.
3 I don’t see the point of going to college since I’m undocumented and can’t work.
“Being undocumented doesn’t mean you can’t pursue a career. Undocumented students can pursue many income-generating opportunities such as starting your own business and independent contracting. Having a college degree can help you with these career paths and offer many other benefits as well. Visit our benefits of higher education page to learn more.”
Tip: Emphasize to students the various benefits of a college education, even if they do not currently have work authorization. Provide concrete examples, like the ones we have provided here.
4 I don’t want to apply for financial aid because I am worried about putting my family at risk.
Sample talking points:
“Let’s talk through some of your concerns and help you make the best decision for you and your family.”
Tip: Guide the student through FAFSA and alternative financial aid eligibility. If possible, assess what financial aid applications the student is eligible for. Learn what alternative financial aid your state and relevant campuses may offer.
“If you don’t feel comfortable or safe applying for FAFSA, we can discuss alternative financial aid applications. However, do keep in mind if you choose not to apply to FAFSA, you will not receive federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants or federal student loans. This means you may receive less financial aid if you forgo FAFSA.”
Tip: Review the list of questions below with your students from mixed-status families to help them assess their risks and comfort with submitting a FAFSA this year.
“Let’s review the eligibility criteria for alternative financial aid. I’ll walk through the privacy protections with you and help you understand what it means to apply for financial aid with your status.”
5 I’m overwhelmed and scared. I don’t know what to do.
Sample talking points:
“I know a lot is changing right now, but I’m here to support you. Would it be helpful if I shared some other resources with you?”
Tips:
- Learn about Best Practices to Advising Undocumented Students here.
- Always reaffirm the student's feelings and the confidentiality of your conversations.
- Obtain consent to share a student’s situation with other professionals, and do not create a paper trail with identifying information, such as their name. Learn more about Communication Principles when working with immigrant students.
- Refer students to mental health resources, like Immigrants Rising’s Mental Health Connector and Wellness Support Groups.
- Refer students to legal resources, like Immigration Law Help. Some campuses also offer legal assistance.
- Refer students to Know Your Rights resources:
6 What if one of my parents does not have an SSN? Can I still apply to FAFSA?
Response:
“If your parents do not have an SSN, you can still apply to FAFSA. Your parents can create a StudentAid.gov account without an SSN, but they will have to proceed through a verification process and answer some questions (e.g., Who was your last employer? What is your former address?). Your parents will be able to access FAFSA after creating a StudentAid.gov account, but some privileges may be limited until the verification process is completed. Verification may take some time so be sure to register early.
You and your family should discuss any privacy concerns you have with submitting your information to the federal government prior to making an account. I can walk through those with you.
Tips:
- Encourage families to start the verification process early if they plan to apply to FAFSA.
- Discuss the Questions to Help Students From Mixed-Status Families Assess Their Risk and Comfort with Submitting FAFSA with families to determine what best fits their situation.
- Remind students and families that the decision is up to them and to consult an attorney if they have specific immigration questions.
7 Which parent(s) should provide information to FAFSA?
Response:
If you are filing FAFSA as a dependent, you will need to input the information of at least one parent. Which parents' information you will need to provide to FAFSA also depends on whether your parents jointly file taxes and live together.
Generally, you will have to provide the biographical information (e.g. name, address, SSN/ITIN) of both parents and financial information (e.g. income information) of at least one parent.
If you are filing FAFSA as an independent, make sure you meet the requirements. Some colleges and universities may request further information regarding your situation, so keep an eye on your email.
Tip: Run through this list if you’re not sure what situation your student may fall under:
| Parent’s Marital Status | What FAFSA Requires |
|---|---|
|
FAFSA will ask for both parents’ information. If the parent has remarried when the student is submitting FAFSA, complete the “Other Parent” section with the step-parent’s information. |
|
FAFSA will ask for only one parent’s information. Skip the “Other Parent” section. |
|
Include information of whichever parent provided more financial support in the last 12 months, even if the student does not live with them. |
Currently, FAFSA data is protected by federal laws and cannot be used for immigration enforcement. However, we cannot guarantee these protections will remain in the future. Students from mixed-status families may have concerns that submitting a FAFSA may put their undocumented contributors at risk of being exposed to federal immigration agencies due to potential changes.
The following questions are meant to walk families through what data may be collected or has already been collected and shared with federal agencies or independent initiatives (mainly the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”)). This will help families become more aware and assess the risks factors to submitting the FAFSA.
1 Have you, as a student, submitted a FAFSA application before?
Context: Families should be aware that, if the student has submitted the FAFSA in the past, the U.S. Department of Education already has access to the information they have submitted. Continuing students who submitted the FAFSA in prior years can choose to renew their application. If the continuing student were to reapply for FAFSA this year, the Department would only be adding any updated information to the database (e.g., income information, change in address).
2 Has your contributors’ personal identifiable information been submitted through a previous FAFSA? For example, do you have any older siblings who have submitted a FAFSA in previous years?
Context: The U.S. Department of Education is required to retain the FAFSA applicant and their contributors’ information for the length of the applicant’s relationship with the Department. For example, if the student takes out a federal loan, the Department will retain the student and their contributors’ information for the full life of the loan. If the student receives or has received a Pell Grant, the Department will keep their information to track lifetime limits. The current database being used was established in 2004.
3 Have you or your contributors already created a FSA ID/StudentAid.gov account?
Context: To the extent that a student or a contributor has already provided information when creating a StudentAid.gov account or previously filling out the FAFSA form, the U.S. Department of Education likely still has that information. If the student were to submit a new FAFSA form, the Department would only be adding updated information to the database (e.g., income information, change in address).
4 Has your contributors’ personal information been submitted to the federal government in other ways? For example, has your contributor(s) filed taxes with the IRS, applied for immigration benefits to USCIS, or obtained a state Driver’s License from the DMV?
Context: Families should be aware that contributors’ data may have already been shared with federal agencies other than the Department of Education. For example, contributors may have shared their data when filing taxes with the IRS, applying for immigration benefits to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or when obtaining a driver’s license through the DMV.
Last updated July 30, 2025
Your students and their families may have questions about recent policy changes at the federal level.
These may range from financial aid to whether they are able to safely travel while undocumented. This section will cover relevant concerns and will be periodically updated as things change.
Important disclaimer:
This guide is meant to help educators and practitioners support undocumented students and students from mixed-status families.
However it is important to know, this guide does not provide legal advice and the authors of this guide are not acting as lawyers in providing this information.
Educators should never give legal advice, especially when it comes to immigration issues. Even if you want to help, trying to explain what a student or family “should do” about their immigration status or legal options could accidentally cross the line into giving legal advice — and that’s not allowed unless you're a licensed attorney or accredited representative.
Instead, focus on listening and being supportive, inform them of policies that may affect them, and connect students or families to trusted legal help. A great place to start is immigrationlawhelp.org, where you can find free or low-cost immigration legal services near you. To the extent you feel comfortable, you can share other reputable resources and information to help families and students make their own informed decision.
1 “Does my family need to file taxes for me to receive financial aid?”
Response: “Not always. Certain individuals may be tax-exempt. Students should be aware, when filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or alternative financial aid applications, that they may be selected to verify income information.
Your and your contributor(s)’ tax information on a financial aid application can only be shared to the IRS with your consent (1). If you or your contributor(s)’ refuse to share the information or did not file taxes in the required year, this may impact eligibility or delay processing, but it does not mean automatic disqualification. Your contributor(s) may need to provide additional proof of their income, such as pay stubs or other documentation showing their earnings (2). Keep in mind that FAFSA and some alternative financial aid applications use tax data from two years prior to the year you may be applying for financial aid in. For example, the 2024–25 FAFSA used 2022 tax information.”
- Learn more about the IRS Data Retrieval tool here (IRS).
- Learn more about the income verification process for FAFSA here (College Board BigFuture).
2 “Is it safe for me or my family to file taxes this year?”
Response: “I can’t advise you on whether you or your family should file your taxes, but I encourage you to consult a lawyer or tax professional. Here’s what I can tell you: I understand filing taxes can feel scary right now. The IRS has agreed to work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (1) to verify the names, addresses, and tax data of immigrants who have final deportation orders (2). You and your family should speak with a lawyer or tax professional about what filing taxes might mean for you and your family. Be aware, if you plan to file for financial aid for college, whether you file taxes or not may impact your eligibility or delay processing. Here are some free or low-cost legal resources you and your family can use.”
Tip: Helping students access free or low-cost legal resources can help them determine what is best for their situation. Families can also consider the following tax-related information:
- Regular tax filings with the U.S. government is often a consideration when applying for legal status. Failing to do so may lead to the denial of an application.
- Those who are considering filing taxes can apply for an extension to extend the deadline from April 15 up to October 15 without penalties. Visit the IRS website for more information and updated deadlines.
- Those considering filing taxes who have concerns about sharing their personal address can provide an alternative address, such as a P.O. box, when filing.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the federal agency responsible for public security. It oversees immigration enforcement agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- In April 2025, the IRS signed a deal with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to share tax-payer information, such as individual names and addresses (Immigration Forum). This information may include the information of undocumented immigrants who file taxes using an Individual Tax Identification Number or a Social Security Number for work purposes only.
3 “Do I need to sign up for Selective Service to receive financial aid?”
Response: “No. Students are not required to sign up for Selective Service (1) to receive federal financial aid. But male students ages 18+ should be aware that there might be penalties for failing to register by the time they are 26 years old. Registering may also provide certain benefits. Registering for Selective Service is different from joining the military. It is a federal requirement for male U.S. residents between 18–25 to register for military service in the event of a draft.
If you are feeling nervous about signing up for Selective Service due to your immigration status, I encourage you to consult an attorney to assess your situation.”
Tip: Remind students that they do not need to sign up for the draft to receive FAFSA, and that they should carefully weigh the pros and cons.
- U.S. federal law requires nearly all male U.S. citizens and immigrants (including undocumented men) to register at age 18 for military service in the event of a draft. The Selective Service System processes these registrations.
4 “Do I need a REAL ID-compliant document to travel?”
Response:
“No. You do not need a REAL ID-compliant document to fly domestically within the U.S. (1) You can use other federally-approved documents to board a flight. If you don’t have any TSA-approved documents, you will likely need to go through additional screening to verify your identity and may face delays and potential denial.
You should be careful when flying, especially if you are using foreign documents (e.g. passport from your country of citizenship) or using non-TSA-approved documents (e.g. state ID that is not REAL ID-compliant). TSA officers have the discretion to refer you to immigration enforcement officers, even when traveling domestically (Immigrants Rising). Here are some tips to keep yourself safe when flying:
- Have an emergency plan in the event you are detained by immigration enforcement;
- Learn about the local immigration-related policies of where you’re traveling to and from;
- Be informed of your rights when traveling and be prepared to assert them; and
- Keep your technology protected when traveling.
I encourage you to talk to a lawyer if you’re not sure about your options, including your eligibility to obtain TSA-compliant document(s).”
Additional Considerations:
- If students do not currently have REAL ID-compliant documents or other TSA-compliant documents:
- Students should check their eligibility to apply or receive TSA-compliant identification.
- Learn how to apply for a REAL ID in your state.
- To obtain other TSA-compliant documents, students should contact an immigration attorney for more assistance.
- If students are unable to obtain a REAL ID or other TSA-compliant documents:
- Undocumented students should consider alternative methods of domestic travel, such as buses or trains, which may pose fewer risks.
- In some states undocumented individuals can still apply for a non-REAL ID compliant driver’s license and state identification card. Having a state-issued ID may not help you fly, but can be useful in other situations. Learn if your state offers state identification when undocumented.
- Understanding the New Registration and REAL ID Requirements: What Noncitizen Students, Faculty, and Staff Need to Know (Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration)
- Rights & Protections Hub: Guidance for Institutions and Non-Citizen Students (Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration)
- Guide for Undocumented Individuals Traveling in the U.S. (Immigrants Rising)
- REAL ID is a federal law (2005) establishing minimum requirements to issue state driver’s licenses and identification cards (TSA). It prohibits federal agencies from accepting non-REAL ID compliant licenses or identification to enter federal facilities, such as federal courthouses and military bases, or to board flights in the U.S. The REAL ID went into effect on May 7, 2025.
5 “Do I or my family members need to register with the government if we are undocumented?”
Response: “Unfortunately, I can’t provide you with legal advice on this situation. I encourage you and your family to speak to a lawyer to see if you need to register with the government under the new registration requirements (1). Here are some free or low-cost legal services.
I can help provide some additional resources so you can learn more. I encourage you to learn more about this registration requirement, including who is required to register, what it means to register, and more, using this resource: USCIS Registration Requirement for Non-Citizens: What Colleges and Universities Need to Know.”
Additional Considerations:
- Registering will not confer legal status, federal benefits, or protections from deportation.
- Keep in mind many immigrants are already “registered” with the government, such as those in immigration court proceedings or those who have applied for a green card who were fingerprinted, regardless of whether they actually received a green card or not.
- Registering provides the U.S. government the student’s address and personal information and may lead to potential detention and deportation, as well as being charged with a federal crime for illegal entry or re-entry.
- If an individual does register, they should consider providing a safe address for mail, such as a P.O. box.
- The New Registration Requirement: FAQs (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)
- Know your Rights: Trump’s Registration Requirement for Immigrants (National Immigration Law Center)
- The Alien Registration Requirement went into effect on April 11, 2025 (USCIS). It requires certain immigrants to register their presence, criminal history, address, any change of address within 10 days, and biometrics (e.g. fingerprints) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services through an online form (G-325R).
Acknowledgements
This resource was created by First Gen Empower, Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN), and Immigrants Rising.
First Gen Empower (FGE) partners with high schools, colleges, and student-serving organizations to strengthen their institutional capacity to support first-generation, low-income and undocumented students.
Learn more about the services we offer to institutions and student-serving organizations.
Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN) is an alliance of 120 organizations working together to increase the rate at which students from underserved communities access and complete college by scaling effective practices, building strategic partnerships and advocating policies that eliminate systemic barriers and advance student success. Learn more about SoCal CAN at socalcan.org.
Immigrants Rising empowers undocumented people to achieve their educational and career goals through personal, institutional and policy transformation. Learn more about Immigrants Rising at immigrantsrising.org.