Graduate school for undocumented & immigrant scholars

When thinking about whether to attend graduate school, it can help to keep the following pro’s and con’s in mind:

Also check out this informative blog entry: “A Guide for Potential Grad Students: Should You Go to Graduate School?”

Financial assistance is often more limited for graduate school compared to undergraduate college. However, funding for immigrant & undocumented students does exist!

1. Funding directly from the school or department

When you apply for a graduate program, make sure to check directly with the program’s academic advisor or Financial Aid office; they will be your best resource for funding!

2. Teaching or Research Assistantships (RA/TA)

With work authorization, the university might hire you to teach undergraduate courses, work in labs, or assist professors in research in exchange for funding or reduced/free tuition.

3. Fellowships & Grants 

This searchable database from the University of California-Los Angeles lists more than 650 fellowship & grant opportunities that are available to graduate students across the U.S. Some fellowships require that you work towards specific academic goals, some do not.

Some fellowships include:

• Ford Foundation Fellowship
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
• Korean-American Scholarship Foundation
• Behavioral Health Professional Preparation Scholarship (MSU Denver-specific)

Additional scholarships for undocumented graduate students can also be accessed here.

4. Student loans

Graduate students (especially for professional degrees such as medical or law school) may find that loans are sometimes the only option; when taking out a student loan, make sure to:

• make a budget (how fast can you realistically pay back the loan?),
• research different offers and borrowing rates (does your current credit union or bank offer student loans?),
• understand subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans,
• talk with others who have taken out loans for graduate school loans.

As always, build a network of other graduate students to learn about funding options! You may also want to check out this Dreamer Graduate Loan Program!

Last, for additional information and tips on how to navigate graduate school as an undocumented student, check out the UndocuGrads Workshop (www.mydocumentedlife.org).

These guides & websites provide key information by and for undocumented students thinking about graduate school.

1. My Undocumented Life: UndocuGrads Workshop

Many videos, workshops, and resources for undocumented students preparing for graduate school

2. Resources for Undocumented Graduate Students

This guide gives key information & resources to help you navigate the graduate school application process and experience while undocumented

3. Navigating Graduate School Resource Guide for Undocumented-Students (2018)

A very extensive and detailed guide from Santa Clara University’s School of Law (Cook & Gaylord, 2018)

4. Pre-Health Dreamers (2020)

A wide variety of videos, resources, peer mentorship programs, and more for undocumented medical and pre-medical students

5. Immigrants Rising: Life After College 

A comprehensive guide on career and educational pathways for undocumented college graduates

The Dreamers Graduate Loan Program is now available to TPS or DACA-status graduate students. This new program is run by the non-profit Social Finance, and loans are provided based on the annual percentage rate available via the federal government’s Direct PLUS loan program. There are no cosigner requirements, no minimum credit score requirements, and no additional fees to take out a loan. In addition, students accepted into the loan program will have access to free 1:1 financial coaching and support throughout the life cycle of the loan from application through to repayment.

For questions on the eligibility of the loan program, please email [email protected]; for questions about the application process, please email Funding U at [email protected].