Undocumented/DACAmented Student Questions
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 students at CCRI, RIC and URI. You may contact the RI Office of Postsecondary Commissioner at aidapplication@riopc.edu with any additional questions you may have.
RIC’s Financial Aid Office states “a limited number of need-based and merit-based programs are available for non-citizens.” Students need to call the office directly in these cases to make an appointment with Nancy Bessette, nbessette@ric.edu
If a student’s parent does not have SSN, what does the student have to enter for that parent on the FAFSA? “000-00-0000"
Any student, undergraduate or graduate, living in the residence halls or a commuter, may use Health Services, regardless of insurance status.
A new law was enacted 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.