Undocumented Resources

HB 1079

House Bill 1079 was signed by Governor Gary Locke on May 7, 2003. HB-1079 allows eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities starting July 1, 2003. Under Washington state law, students who are not U.S. citizens or permanents residents may qualify for in-state tuition if they meet certain guidelines.

Who is eligible for HB 1079?

Students may be eligible to pay in-state tuition rates if they meet all of the following three criteria:

Received a diploma from a Washington high school or the equivalent of a diploma in Washington State.
Lived in Washington for at least three calendar years (not school years) prior to receiving their diploma or its equivalent.
Continuously resided in Washington since receiving the high school diploma or its equivalent.

Financial Aid

WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid)

https://readysetgrad.wa.gov/wasfa-washington-application-state-financial-aid

Residency & Citizenship

In Washington, the state uses residency requirements for tuition at public colleges and state financial aid programs. Both U.S. citizens and non-citizens can meet residency requirements. Colleges determine residency based on individual circumstances, but typically students with resident status meet one of the following standards:

Have lived in Washington for three consecutive years prior to graduating from a Washington high school or earning a GED
Have ever had DACA (current or expired) and have lived in Washington for one year prior to enrolling in college.
For more information, definitions, and requirements, please visit the Residency & Citizenship page. To determine your eligibility, complete the confidential WASFA questionnaire.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for every student. Take the time to look at different scholarship websites and search for scholarships that don’t have a citizenship requirement. Sign up at www.TheWashBoard.org, www.FastWeb.com, www.CollegeBoard.com

***https://www.beyondhb1079.com/scholarships***

The guide provides scholarship information and resources to undocumented students seeking to pursue a post-secondary education. In addition to the scholarships, the guide provides important information on WASFA, HB1079, DACA, contact information at colleges and universities, as well as, local and national advocacy groups.

https://study.com/resources/minority-scholarships-for-college-students#0351

Students from underrepresented groups can utilize a variety of resources to help make college more affordable. This guide will not only introduce a variety of scholarships but also give guidance on how to find and best apply for them.

Internships and Fellowships

Internships and Fellowships for DACA and Undocumented Students

CreditDonkey

What is an Internship?

Internships are most often offered to students, and sometimes new graduates, to experience a professional work environment. They will have entry-level work responsibilities and often culture and team building initiatives to help interns learn more about roles and career paths. Although some are unpaid and may help participants to receive academic credit, many internships offer compensation. They typically last a couple of months.

What is a Fellowship?

A fellowship is a training and research opportunity that provides professional development to research or study a subject area. Offered by universities, companies, institutions, government and some industry groups, these career enhancing, merit-based opportunities typically involve a highly competitive selection process. Candidates for fellowships are often graduate or post-graduate students who seek to go deeper in a subject matter and gain additional skills for future professions or study. Candidates will propose a topic that they would like to pursue as a fellow such as writing a book, researching a medical problem or developing a community-based program.

Other Scholarship Resources

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

CreditDonkey (Fellowships, Internships, and Scholarships)

moneygeek Guide to Finding Scholarships and Financial Resources for Hispanic Students

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

College-Bound Hispanic, Latino High School Senior Scholarships

Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund

Immigrants Rising

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

College Success Foundation

Scholarships AZ

United States Hispanic Leadership Institute

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Western Union Family Scholarship

Educators for Fair Consideration

Que Llueva Cafe Scholarship

Study.com Scholarship for DACA Students

Other Resources

Comprehensive Guide to College for Undocumented and DACA Students

Accessing higher education is a challenge, but with campus resources, tuition support, and community support, international students can make it.

Organizations and Advocacy Groups

Nonprofits and organizations dedicated to Latinx students can provide tons of helpful information, mentorship, and much more.

Immigrant Guide to Purchasing a Home in the US

There is a common misconception that foreigners and non-citizens are unable to purchase a home in the U.S., but that could not be further from the truth. While an individual’s residency status or lack thereof will determine whether they will qualify for certain loans, there are still homebuying options.

Financial Planning in the Hispanic & Latino Community

There are a number of obstacles that prevent the Hispanic and Latino community from being able to grow their savings and achieve their financial goals. Learning to save, predatory lending practices and poor or insufficient credit history are just some of the major barriers that prevent the community from reaching financial stability. And when each of these factors compound, many find themselves in a situation where they are unable to invest their money and create generational wealth.

Learn more about these financial barriers and some solutions to overcome them.