DACA and Undocumented Students

On June 18, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the way the Trump administration ended DACA was arbitrary and not justified, and therefore violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The Supreme Court's decision overruled the Trump administration's ending of DACA, meaning that DACA continues to be in effect. For more information visit the National Immigration Law Center. 

Undocumented students, including DACA recipients, are not eligible for federal student aid, but may still be eligible for state and college aid in addition to private scholarships. 

The Commissioner of Higher Education offers an Alternative Financial Aid Application for RIC students.  You may contact the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner at aidapplication@riopc.edu for an application and any additional questions you may have.

If a student’s parent does not have a SSN, the student should enter “000-00-0000" on the FAFSA for that parent. 

Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use Health Services, regardless of insurance status.

Former Governor Gina Raimondo signed a new law in June 2018 to allow some undocumented immigrants to qualify for Rhode Island drivers' licenses. The two bills, H 7982 Sub B and S 2678 Sub A, which are now Rhode Island state law, continue an Obama-era federal policy.

Project ExCEL is an academic initiative at RIC aiming to expand college access for talented bilingual students.  For more information contact Laura Faria-Tancinco, lfariatancinco@ric.edu.

Learning for Life (L4L) is an office that connects students to on and off campus resources and opportunities. Students served by L4L are empowered to overcome life obstacles on their journey to graduation such as, access to basic needs, managing competing priorities, and navigating the campus systems. L4L’s team of staff and trained peer mentors (Navigators) support and advocate for students. We build a community where students feel accepted, included, and safe.​