JSimHenley

Hi,

First off, I just wanted to say that I posted this thread because I am really stuck not because I wanted to get put down by people who hate immigrants or have this turn into a debate.

I am a senior (in Maryland) and an undocumented alien. I was brought here when I was almost 2 and have been here ever since. We have a request for permanent residency already put in but it has been taking years for it to complete and still has not. We also applied for the newly initiated Deferred Action and I am not too sure how that will affect anything.

I have a 4.2 weighted GPA, a 2060 superscore (I am still contemplating whether I should take the SATs again). I have taken 5 APs and am taking 3 this year. I have scores of 3s and 4s. I am the VP of National Society of Black Engineers and a member of French Honor Society and National Honor Society. I have worked very hard throughout my high school career and I am really frustrated by the fact that I might not be able to attend college.

I am applying to Harvard, Princeton, Yale and UPenn because I know they are likely to give me financial aid even though I am undocumented. I have been searching for scholarships that do not exclude undocumented aliens from their eligible applicants but I have not really found much luck.

I am also considering Duke and UNC (through the Robertson Scholarship) or Washington University (I am not too sure about their policies). I don't know if applying to a college and expecting a merit scholarship is a good idea because I might not get it.

I just found out about QuestBridge. Would applying to QuestBridge be a good idea? Does anybody know what else I can do?

Any answer will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

momofthreeboys

Here's the info from Questbridge:

Who Should Apply for the National College Match?

You should probably contact each of the colleges that you are considering and ask how they will classify you for financial aid. The impact might be that some colleges use federal funds when packaging student aid. It would be helpful, in my opinion, if you knew the policies of the individual schools before you apply and might impact your list.

Have you been in contact with the University of Maryland to see how they would handle your situation?

dodgersmom

See this page for more specific information on Questbridge eligibility for undocumented aliens. Given your circumstances, it might be worth a try.

Getting that SAT score up a bit couldn't hurt . . . or perhaps try the ACT?

Also, research the schools on this list to see which ones would provide need-based aid to someone in your situation. The Ivies aren't the only ones that give good aid.

Merit aid is worth a shot if you set your sights on schools where you are certain that you'd be a top applicant . . . in other words, those schools where the average applicant has stat's significantly lower than yours. Those are the schools that would consider paying you to attend. Again, lots of research to figure out which schools would extend offers of merit aid to an undocumented alien.

I believe you have some options. Best of luck to you!

reeinaz

Hampshire College offers a scholarship for undocumented students. I looked briefly on their website for specifics but only found news articles about the sholarship. Their supplement does mention it though.

happymomof1

Speak with your guidance counselor, and find out what the current situation is in your county, and in MD. Some of the MD community colleges award in-county status to students like you, and some have tuition and fees scholarships for students with your GPA and test scores. The MD Dream Act referendum will be on the ballot this fall, so encourage your legal-voter pals to vote in favor.

Wishing you all the best!

aunt bea

Try some on the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Doesn't matter if you're not Hispanic because a number of those scholarships referenced include other URM's.

SLUMOM

Do you have a Social Security number?
Do you have a Maryland driver's license?

If you are a male and are 18 you have to register for Selective Service in order to complete a FAFSA for federal financial aid. This sounds like a complicated situation, I hope you have some options available to you! Best of luck!

mom2collegekids

Can you apply for college in your home country? While that may seem odd, the reverse often happens.

Many US-born kids only lived in this country for a couple of years (maybe while int'l parents were grad students here), and have lived all their lives in their parents' country. But, they apply to colleges here because their citizenship is here...even though they have hardly lived here at all.

carimama

Search for schools that are immigration-blind. Also, you will likely have to apply as an international student. There are a few very high level schools that are, most of which fulfill full financial need without the fafsa. I've helped some of my D's friends, and I had several friends in school with nearly identical situations.

I'm not sure how your situation is affected by the new status you've applied for though. That you'd have to contact the prospective schools' financial aid department for.

Good luck!!

carimama

And whatever you do do NOT leave the country until all of your immigration issues are resolved becuase you've applied for an adjustment in your current status. It will negate whatever you've applied for.

Sabre4

You should go to www.dreamact.info and you will find more helpful information in the forums

Sent from my MB855 using CC

JSimHenley

Thanks to everybody for your answers. UMD does allow undocumented aliens and I might be able to apply for some of their merit scholarships but those are really competitive.