I am a...DACA/Undocumented Student
Undocumented students, including DACA students, are NOT eligible for federal financial aid (including the Federal Pell Grant), but may be eligible for other types of aid through the following sources.
All references on this page to undocumented students include students with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status).
OSAC uses information from the ORSAA to calculate students’ financial need and award eligibility for grants and scholarships. The ORSAA is a confidential application that is used solely to qualify students for financial aid in Oregon. If you need help with the ORSAA, please call (800) 452-8807 or email ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov.
The 2024-25 and 2023-24 ORSAA are open.
- The 2024-25 ORSAA (for students attending college fall 2024 - spring 2025) is now open.
- Students who plan to attend college in fall 2023 - spring 2024 need to complete the 2023-24 ORSAA as soon as possible after October 1, 2022.
ORSAA Students: Add ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov to your email contacts so that important messages do not go to spam/junk folders.
Learn more about the ORSAA.
Undocumented students in Oregon may be eligible for the following state financial aid programs, as long as they meet all other program requirements.
Oregon Opportunity Grant
The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) is Oregon's largest state-funded, need-based grant program for college students. The grant provides funding to more than 30,000 Oregon resident students each year.
OOG is awarded to Oregon residents of all ages who are pursuing their first associate's or bachelor's degree at an Oregon eligible public or private institution. Award amounts vary based on student's financial need and type of institution the student attends. There is not a separate application for the OOG. To be considered for the grant, students must submit their FAFSA or ORSAA by the deadline date each academic year.
How to Apply
Undocumented students can apply by submitting the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) as soon as possible after the FAFSA/ORSAA opens each year. In addition to the OOG criteria, ORSAA students must meet Tuition Equity in order to be considered for the grant. See "In-State Tuition" below for more information.
Tuition Equity criteria:
- Student attended an elementary or secondary/high school in Oregon during all three years immediately prior to earning a high school diploma or leaving school before earning a diploma
- Student attended an elementary or secondary/high school in the United States for at least five years immediately prior to earning a high school diploma or leaving school before earning a diploma
- Student received a high school diploma or GED in Oregon
- Student certifies intention to become a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Oregon Promise Grant
The Oregon Promise is a state grant that helps cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED® test graduates. Students must apply during their senior year or immediately after GED® test completion.
How to Apply:
Undocumented students can apply by submitting the ORSAA and an Oregon Promise application in the OSAC Student Portal. The application deadline depends on the student's graduation date.
OSAC Scholarships
The OSAC Scholarship is one application that includes more than 600 scholarships. The Scholarship Application includes student contact and background questions, college plans, transcripts, activities chart, and personal statements.
How to Apply:
Undocumented students can apply by completing the ORSAA and submitting an OSAC Scholarship application in the OSAC Student Portal. The application deadline is April 1.
Additional Scholarship Information:
Certain scholarships, including those offered by Oregon Community Foundation and The Ford Family Foundation, are available to undocumented students.
Undocumented students may be eligible for in-state tuition rates at public universities as long as they meet the additional eligibility requirements listed below. To apply, undocumented students must either:
- Complete an Affidavit and Request for Exemption from Nonresident Tuition and Fees, available at the Admissions Office of each Oregon public university; OR
- Submit an official copy of application for registration with a federal immigration program or federal deportation deferral program.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for in-state tuition rates as well as the Oregon Opportunity Grant and Ford Family Foundation Scholarships, undocumented students must meet all of the following tuition equity requirements:
- Student attended an elementary or secondary/high school in Oregon during all three years immediately prior to earning a high school diploma or leaving school before earning a diploma
- Student attended an elementary or secondary/high school in the United States for at least five years immediately prior to earning a high school diploma or leaving school before earning a diploma
- Student received a high school diploma or GED® in Oregon
- Student certifies intention to become a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Undocumented students may be eligible for financial aid at the college level. Students should check with their college’s financial aid office to see what types of financial aid they may be eligible for and how to apply.
Colleges may request that DACA students also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (in addition to the ORSAA) to determine eligibility for aid at the college level. Talk to your college to learn more before submitting both applications.
Starting in the 2023-24 academic year, ORSAA students who meet the criteria can be considered for the Foster Youth/Youth Experiencing Homelessness Tuition and Fee Waiver.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) partners with the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) to determine potentially eligible students and to match DHS data with a student’s FAFSA/ORSAA information. Based on information listed on the FAFSA/ORSAA, OSAC provides a list of eligible students to be considered for a Tuition and Fee Waiver in the Financial Aid Offices (FAO) Portal.
Eligibility: The Tuition and Fee Waiver is for undergraduate students who meet one of the following criteria:
- Were in the care and custody of DHS, or one of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. Former or current foster youth must have spent at least 180 days (6 months) in substitute care after age 14, AND did not leave substitute care and custody of (DHS or Tribe) prior to the youth’s 16th birthday;
- Adopted former foster youth who have spent at least 180 days (6 months) in substitute care and were adopted on or after January 1, 2012; or
- Experienced homelessness for at least 180 days (6 months) between ages 14 and 24 years old and meet the following requirements:
- While experiencing homelessness, received services from an organization contracted by DHS or a host home; AND
- Was at least 16 years of age when last receiving services
Requirements: The undergraduate student must access the Tuition and Fee Waive prior to the age of 25 by:
- Enrolling at an eligible Oregon public 2- or 4-yr college or university
- Complete a FAFSA or ORSAA each year. Students must complete verification documents/information as requested by their school in a timely manner
*Students are eligible for the waiver up to 4 years (12 terms of full-time enrollment) or until they have earned a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first.
OSAC informs all eligible schools listed on the FAFSA/ORSAA of a student's eligibility for the Tuition and Fee Waiver. A student may list several eligible institutions on their FAFSA/ORSAA; all will be notified of the student's eligibility.
Waiver Amount: The school shall waive all tuition and fee costs after a student's federal grants, Oregon Opportunity Grant, and institutional aid have been applied to the student's account.
There is no separate application. DHS sends the list of eligible students to OSAC to match with valid FAFSA/ORSAA applications. Your name on your ORSAA must perfectly match DHS records. If you have any questions, please email PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov.
5 Tips to Complete the ORSAA - English
5 Tips to Complete the ORSAA - Espanol
A list of campus contacts at every Oregon public university and community college who can help you with the DACA renewal process. Oregon's public universities and community colleges recommend that students renew their DACA status as soon as possible.
Operated by Oregon GEAR UP, this website has quality information to help undocumented students, families, and educators prepare and pay for college. Content is available in Spanish and English.
The nation’s largest college access and success program to help undocumented immigrant youth get access to a college education. TheDream.US offers scholarships nationwide for students with DACA or Temporary Protected Status. Their partner colleges for their National Scholarship – including Portland State University and Western Oregon University – are committed to serving DACA students.
DACAmented/Undocumented Toolkit
This resource from the Oregon Department of Education is available (in English and Spanish) to help schools and districts in Oregon create, maintain, and nurture an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students, families, and employees in Oregon’s schools. The toolkit includes information on access to higher education for undocumented and DACA students.
ORSAA students can apply for a Ford Family Foundation scholarship, as long as they meet the Tuition Equity criteria (listed above). Application opens annually December 1 and the deadline is March 1 of the year you will attend college in the Fall.
Federal Information
Although federal financial aid – including the Federal Pell Grant – is not available to undocumented and DACA students, Federal Student Aid provides additional information for non-citizens and undocumented students:
Additional Resources
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