Resources for Undocumented Students

Applying for In-State Tuition with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Students who have been admitted into Salisbury University and have accepted their offer of admission must fill out the in-state tuition residency application on their GullNet. Under USM regulations, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients have to have held Deferred Action for one year before qualifying for in-state tuition at Maryland institutions. For any questions relating to other policies affecting in state tuition eligibility, please refer to the USMD website.

Completing the application:

• Do not leave anything on the form blank. If you do not have an answer, put N/A.
• Any disclosed information will not affect or endanger you or your parents in any way.

If you need additional information or have any questions, you can contact Tuition Residency directly at:

Colleen Paugh - tuitionresidency@salisbury.edu

The Maryland Dream Act allows high school graduates, who are undocumented, to pay in-state tuition at Maryland colleges if they meet certain requirements:

Maryland DREAM Act Requirements:

1. Attended a public or nonpublic high school in Maryland for at least 3 academic years not earlier than the 2005‐2006 school year;
2. Graduated from a public or nonpublic high school in Maryland or received the equivalent of a high school diploma from the State not earlier than the 2007‐2008 school year;
3. Attended a community college in Maryland not earlier than the 2010 fall semester and met the requirements for the nonresident tuition exemption at the community college;
4. Was awarded an associate’s degree by or achieved 60 credits at a community college in Maryland;
5. If applicable, provides the institution with a copy of the affidavit submitted to the community college regarding the filing of an application to become a permanent resident within 30 days after the individual becomes eligible to do so;
6. Provides to the institution documentation that the individual or the individual’s parent or legal guardian has filed a Maryland income tax return:
   1. annually while the individual attended a high school in Maryland
   2. annually while the individual attended a community college in Maryland;
   3. annually during the period, if any, between graduation from or achieving 60 credits at a Maryland community college and registration at a Maryland public senior higher education institution;
   4. annually during the period of attendance at the Maryland public senior higher education institution;
   and,
7. Registers at a Maryland public senior higher education institution in the state not later than 4 years after graduating from or achieving 60 credits at a Maryland community college.

Dream Act students must complete and submit the following Residency form.

Educators For Fair Consideration (E4FC) EDFC has a complete scholarship list at http://e4fc.org/resources/scholarshiplists.html. This page will list an extensive amount of scholarships available for students pursuing aid for their college career.

Hispanic College Fund

The Hispanic College Fund awards scholarships to students with DACA. There are a number of requirements to attain scholarships, but here are some of the general ones you must have:

• Must be of Hispanic Heritage
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for High School Students
• Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for College and Graduate Students
• Plan to enroll Full-Time in an accredited not-for-profit 4 year university or graduate school during Fall of scholarship cycle year
• U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, DACA or Eligible Non-Citizen (as defined by FAFSA)
• Complete FAFSA
• Complete state Dream Act financial aid application (if applicable)

All majors are accepted, and rewards stem from $500 to $5,000. For more information, visit the DACA website.

MALDEF Scholarship Resources

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), founded in 1968 is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. The organization aims to advance the civil rights of the Latino community through the law profession. MALDEF has annually awarded 5-10 law scholarships of $5,000 to law students nationwide. MALDEF also offers scholarships up to $5,000 each to deserving DREAM Act student activists to undergraduates and graduates.

Visit the MALDEF website for more Information

Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship

The Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala offers scholarships with specific application requirements:

• High school/College/University grade point average of 2.5 or greater
• Must have graduated from a Maryland High School or GED equivalent in last four years
• Must attend a Maryland College or University in the Spring next year
• Significant contribution of voluntary community service during last 12 months
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, Resident or Dreamer, as defined by the Maryland Dream Act
• Must have proof of financial need to continue higher education
• There are also documents to be submitted with application:
• Completed online application
• 500 word essay question (visit website for the question)
• Letter of recommendation from academic advisor, teacher, or professor
• Letter of recommendation from community organization
• Document with proof of family finances

If chosen, candidates will be interviewed and then one will be chosen for an award of $2,000.00 that will be disbursed to the Spring of the following year.

Check the Montgomery County Executive website for information.

The Esperanza Education Fund

The Esperanza Education Fund awards scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on financial need to immigrant students in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area to attend public colleges and universities. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Must be born outside the U.S. or have two parents born outside the U.S.
• Must be a graduating senior at a high school in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia
• Must enroll full-time at an accredited public college or university in the following year
• Application materials include:
• Electronic application (two essays)
• Two letters of recommendation submitted electronically
• Official high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores

Visit their website for all the details: www.esperanzafund.org

The counseling services at Salisbury University provides specific services designed to assist students in their social development while at college. This can range from handling interpersonal conflicts, to managing emotions.

Life After College Guide for Undocumented Students covers various topics about what undocumented students can do after college. Topics include graduate school, earning a living, going abroad, and mental health. Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) published this journal in order to give undocumented students answers to questions they may be afraid to ask. Important document such as W-7 Forms, resumes, and 7-9 forms are sampled as well. Keep reading at Immigrants Rising for more information.

Graduates Reaching a Dream Deferred: Graduates Reaching A Dream Deferred (GRADD) is an organization founded by undocumented graduate students which aims to address the needs of immigrant students interested in pursuing graduate education. GRADD works to establish a national network of students, faculty members, and community leaders dedicated to bringing resources and attention to this underserved student population. They are based out of California, but are available via email for help.

Contact them by e-mail: graddstudentorganization@gmail.com

Educators for Fair Consideration also has a list of scholarships available to undocumented students for graduate studies: Interested applicants can look at the list, narrow which scholarships they want, and then go to the website for more information.

Pre-Health Dreamers is a website dedicated to educating undocumented students interested in a medical school graduate program. The website contains resources, blogs, financial advice and advice.

You can visit their website http://www.phdreamers.org/ for more information.

Undocumented Law Student? Tips for Surviving Law School From An Undocumented Law School Graduate is an article giving first-hand tips to undocumented students who want to pursue a law degree. Advice includes how to pay for it, who to contact and how to essentially make the situation much easier for the student.

Students interested in law school can reference this article for tips on graduating law school: http://prernalal.com/2014/03/undocumented-law-student-tips-for-surviving-law-school/#ixzz3a3aFTcbG

RAISE (Revolutionizing Asian American Immigrant Stories on the East Coast) is a pan-Asian undocumented youth-led group on the East Coast. Their aims are to create safe spaces in communities while advocating for humane immigration policies. RAISE organizes grassroots movements to reimagine justice and demand liberation for immigrants in America.

Contact RAISE members at info@aaldef.org or join the movement at raisenyc.tumblr.com.

BAJI (Black Alliance for Just Immigration) believes that a thriving multiracial democracy requires racial, social, and economic justice for all. BAJI was formed to bring together voices to advocate for equality and justice in our communities. BAJI educates both African American and black immigrant communities to advocate for racial, social, and economic justice. The alliance provides training to develop leadership skills, works with communities to harness a prophetic voice, and initiate dialogue with African Americans about racial diversity.

Visit their website http://www.blackalliance.org/ for more information.

DEEP (Dream Educational Empowerment Program) seeks educational justice and empowerment for immigrant students. DEEP wants to lay the groundwork that advances the educational justice movement in the U.S. by focusing resources on the needs and realities of immigrant students to increase educational attainment rates.

Visit their website http://unitedwedream.org/ to find out more about the program.

We Are CASA is a Latino and immigration advocacy-and-assistance organization based in Maryland. CASA aims to create a just society by improving the quality of life in low-income immigrant communities. Offerings through the organization include health assistance, English classes, leadership development and employment. The vision of CASA is a future with diverse and thriving communities living free from discrimination and fear.

Here is their website: http://wearecasa.org/

Educators For Fair Consideration (E4FC) aims to empower undocumented young people in the pursuit of college, career and citizenship. Since opening in 2006, E4FC has offered a multitude of programs and services that address the needs of young people through direct support, leadership development, community outreach, and advocacy. They also provide scholarships to students attempting to attend college.

Visit the website https://immigrantsrising.org/ for more resources.