<p>I am currently a senior in highschool applying to the UC system through the online UC application. I am a California resident, having lived in the state for over a year, but my family is filing for a Green Card and I am not yet an official permanent US citizen. I have an O-3 visa type as the child of my father, who has an O-1 visa. Are students with O-3 visas still eligible for need-based scholarships? Does my status affect me in any other way regarding financial aid?</p>
<p>The O-3 is a non-immigrant visa, so I expect you would be excluded from consideration of federal financial aid. </p>
<p>I couldn’t find the O-3 rules about studying on the [USCIS</a> Home Page](<a href=“http://www.uscis.gov%5DUSCIS”>http://www.uscis.gov) website, but they may be buried there somewhere. I did find this information on the FAQ page at the website of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia: [Frequently</a> Asked Questions Concerning the O Visa - U.S. Embassy Bogotá, Colombia](<a href=“http://bogota.usembassy.gov/scfaqovisa.html]Frequently”>http://bogota.usembassy.gov/scfaqovisa.html)</p>
<p>Can I study in the United States on a derivative (O-3) visa? </p>
<p>Yes. There is no requirement that the spouse and/or children of an O visa holder apply for a student (F-1) visa if they wish to study in the United States. They may study on their derivative O visas. </p>
<p>Can I work in the United States on a derivative (O-3) visa? </p>
<p>No. Individuals in O-3 status cannot work while in the United States. </p>
<p>Be sure to double check everything with your immigration lawyer and with the admissions offices at the colleges/universities where you apply. Not many people hold O-3 visas and you could hit an admissions office that has never seen an applicant with an O-3 before.</p>
<p>I recently had an FA applicant who as an O-1 Visa and he was eligible for federal funding. It took me 3 hours talking with multiple federal agencies…even checking with our certifying agent who normally handles international students. She hadn’t ever had a student holding an O visa before, and the manuals we had didn’t say whether O Visa holders were eligible for Title IV aid. TO clear the matter, I spoke with Customs and Immigration officers and the people at the Dept of Education (FAFSA), who were able to provide me with a clear picture. Be sure to have your VISA handy, as there are a few codes you may need when speaking with them. You can start with USCIS 1-800-375-5283 and FAFSA Technical Support 800-433-3243.</p>
<p>NikkiiL - You truly are a financial aid genius! Thanks so much for this info. I’m stashing it away for the inevitable day one of my ESL students turns out to have an O visa!</p>