Advising California Undocumented Students & Mixed-Status Families

Talking Points, Tips, and Resources for Navigating College and Financial Aid Conversations

Last updated October 22, 2025

Table of Contents

Introduction
This resource guide is created for K–12 and college educators in California to help guide conversations with undocumented students and students from mixed-status families regarding college and financial aid concerns.
TermDefinition / Includes
Undocumented students Students who do not have legal immigration status. They do not qualify for federal benefits, but may qualify for state programs like CADAA. This can include students who:
  • entered the U.S. without inspection (e.g., crossing the border without going through a port of entry);
  • entered with legal status and overstayed their visa;
  • are currently in the process of gaining legal status (e.g., asylum application pending); or
  • are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients (valid or expired).
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:
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders; or
  • U-visa holders.
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:
  • U.S. Citizens;
  • Permanent Residents / Green Card Holders;
  • Refugees;
  • Asylees; or
  • T-visa Holders.

For the full list of those that qualify for FAFSA, click here.

Disclaimer: This resource is created for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as legal advice. For information regarding a student’s immigration status, please encourage the student to seek legal advice from a qualified immigration professional.

Sample Talking Points for Common Advising Scenarios
1 I don’t know if I should apply for FAFSA or CADAA.

Response: Depending on your immigration status, you may qualify for either FAFSA or CADAA. Let’s walk through the eligibility criteria for both FAFSA and CADAA so you can determine which one fits your situation better. 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 both FAFSA and CADAA helps inform students of their options without requiring them to disclose their immigration status.

Footnotes:
  1. Use Immigrants Rising’s FAFSA vs CA Dream Act: Apply to the Correct Financial Aid in CA guide to walk the student through the difference between the two applications.
2 I can’t afford to go to college because of my immigration status.

Response: Lots of students qualify for financial aid in California even if they’re not U.S. citizens or green card holders. Many undocumented students can receive financial aid in CA through an application called the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA). Let’s walk through the eligibility criteria for both CADAA and FAFSA so you can determine whether you qualify for either application.

Tip: Undocumented students who qualify for AB 540 can qualify for state and institutional aid in CA, such as Cal Grant and campus scholarships. They qualify for many programs, including some that cater directly to immigrant students.

Footnotes:
  1. Use Immigrants Rising’s CA In-State Tuition Tool (ISTT) to help a student assess their eligibility for AB 540. If they’re not yet eligible, the ISTT provides them with next steps on how to build eligibility.
3 I don’t see the point of going to college since I’m undocumented and can’t work.

Response: Being undocumented doesn’t mean you can’t pursue a career. Undocumented students can pursue many income-generating opportunities through 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.

Tip: Emphasize to students the various benefits of a college education, even if they do not currently have work authorization. Visit our Benefits of Higher Education page to learn more.

Footnotes:
  1. If the student is interested in learning more about independent contracting and entrepreneurship, share Immigrants Rising’s 5 Tips to Get Started as an Independent Contractor/Freelancer.
4 I don’t want to apply for financial aid because I am worried about putting my family at risk.

Response: 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 CADAA eligibility. If possible, assess which application the student is eligible for.

If a student is FAFSA-eligible:

If you don’t feel comfortable or safe applying for FAFSA, you can apply for CADAA instead this year. It would be very difficult to use CADAA information for immigration enforcement purposes, because CADAA is protected by CA’s sanctuary laws. However, keep in mind that CADAA will assess you for state financial aid and campus-specific financial aid, but not federal financial aid, like Pell Grants or federal student loans. This means you may receive less financial aid if you apply for CADAA instead of FAFSA. You can also consider applying for CADAA now and switch to FAFSA later.

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.

If a student is CADAA-eligible:

Since you qualify for CADAA, you can safely apply for state financial aid and campus-specific financial aid. It would be very difficult to use CADAA information for immigration enforcement purposes because CADAA is protected by CA’s sanctuary laws.

  1. Share CSAC’s CADAA for Mixed-Status Families page with the student.
  2. Share CSAC’s Protection of Student Information for CADAA Applicants page with the student.
5 I’m overwhelmed and scared. I don’t know what to do.

Response: 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:

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:

Resources: How To Submit the FAFSA® Form if Your Contributor Doesn’t Have an SSN
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 StatusWhat FAFSA/CADAA Requires
  • Married (not separated)
  • Remarried
  • Unmarried and living together
 FAFSA and CADAA will ask for both parents’ information. If the parent has remarried when the student is submitting CADAA/FAFSA, complete the “Other Parent” section with the step-parent’s information.
  • Single (never married, not living together)
  • Widowed, not married
 FAFSA and CADAA will ask for only one parent’s information. Skip the “Other Parent” section.
  • Divorced
  • Separated
 Include information of whichever parent provided more financial support in the last 12 months, even if the student does not live with them.
Resources: Reporting Family Information

Questions to Help Students From Mixed-Status Families Assess Their Risk and Comfort With Submitting FAFSA

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 CA 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.

Immigration-Related Concerns

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 Is in-state tuition for undocumented students in California (AB 540) being taken away?

Response: “No, in-state tuition in California (AB 540) remains in effect, but it is facing challenges from the federal government. In-state tuition in California remains available for any students who meet the qualifications. Let’s walk through whether you qualify for in-state tuition using this tool: California In-State Tuition Tool (Immigrants Rising).”

Tip: Affirm the student’s access to financial aid in California and the many information protections it has in place (CSAC). Inform them that California sanctuary laws generally ensure that undocumented students’ data and financial aid records are not shared with immigration enforcement agencies. Direct them to learn more about the financial aid applications they qualify for.

2 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 California Dream Act Application (CADAA), 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 Internal Revenue Service 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. Keep in mind that both CADAA and FAFSA 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 income verification process for FAFSA here (College Board BigFuture). Learn more about the income verification process for CADAA here (Immigrants Rising).”

Learn more about the IRS Data Retrieval tool here (IRS).

3 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 (2) to verify the names, addresses, and tax data of immigrants who have final deportation orders (3). 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.
Footnotes:
  1. 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).
  2. 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.
4 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 California state or 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 (Selective Service System). Keep in mind that registering for Selective Service doesn’t mean you are joining the military — it is just 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 CADAA or FAFSA, and that they should carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Footnotes:
  1. 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.
5 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:

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:
  • 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 California, undocumented individuals can 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 more about applying for a CA driver’s license when undocumented.
Resources:
Footnotes:
  1. 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.
6 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.
Resources:
Footnotes:
  1. 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.