Applying As An Undocumented Student

Tufts’ core values include a commitment to access and inclusion. Therefore, Tufts welcomes all undergraduate applicants regardless of citizenship status. Undocumented students, with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), who apply to Tufts are treated identically to any other U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Tufts University meets 100% of the demonstrated need of all admitted students. While procedures for financial aid vary between domestic and international applicants, students with undocumented status are considered for domestic, need-based financial like any other U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Please note that health insurance is required for all Tufts students and, depending on family income, this can be provided by Tufts as part of your financial aid package.

Tufts is also committed to providing our DACA and undocumented students with the resources they need to thrive. Tufts’ FIRST Resource Center serves as a source of advising, support, and community-building for students with undocumented status.

Applying

Undocumented students should follow the same application procedure as other domestic (not international) applicants to Tufts. Because federal financial aid is not available for undocumented students, Tufts provides institutional financial aid in its place. Therefore, a FAFSA is not required to apply for aid.

Financial Aid Application Process for Undocumented Students

Complete the CSS Profile. The submission fee for the CSS Profile is waived for students who received an SAT registration fee waiver and for students who are deemed eligible based on the financial information provided on the form.
If you are a student with DACA status, you can submit a FAFSA to receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), if desired. However, this is not necessary for Tufts financial aid.
If you and/or your parents file taxes, upload required financial documents directly to IDOC.
If you and/or your parents do not file or will not file taxes, fill out a Nontax Filer Statement (found on the IDOC website) and upload it directly to IDOC.
Complete your financial aid application on time. Deadlines vary for Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Transfer students. Visit our Financial Aid website for more information.

FAQs for Students with Undocumented Status

I am an undocumented student interested in applying to Tufts as a first-year or transfer student. How does the application process work for me?
Beyond need-based financial aid, am I eligible for scholarships?
Do I have to have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status in order to apply to Tufts?
Am I eligible for financial aid at Tufts as an undocumented student?
How does the financial aid process work for undocumented students?

I am an undocumented student with DACA status. Can I submit a FAFSA?
What financial information or documents do my parents have to provide?
My parents are undocumented and I am applying for financial aid. Will my financial aid be affected by my parents’ status?
Do I qualify for work-study as an undocumented student?
As an undocumented student, should I apply Early Decision or Regular Decision?

I am an undocumented student interested in applying to Tufts as a first-year or transfer student. How does the application process work for me?

Tufts University welcomes applications from any student regardless of citizenship status. Undocumented students residing in the United States (with or without DACA) should follow the same application procedures as other domestic student applicants. This process includes completing our standard application requirements, which can be found here.

Beyond need-based financial aid, am I eligible for scholarships?

In addition to the need-based financial aid that Tufts offers, there are several outside scholarships for undocumented students. Tufts University is a partner institution of Golden Door Scholars, a non-profit organization that helps to expand educational and career opportunities for high-achieving students with undocumented status. For more information about the Golden Door Scholars program, visit https://www.goldendoorscholars.org/.

Other foundations and organizations have scholarships for undocumented students. Specific opportunities can be found at https://www.thedream.us/resources/education/ and https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/list-of-undergraduate-scholarships/.

Do I have to have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status in order to apply to Tufts?

We accept applications from undocumented students with or without DACA status. If you are interested in applying for DACA status, there are various online resources and community organizations that provide useful information, including the following resources:

Am I eligible for financial aid at Tufts as an undocumented student?

Tufts University meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students. We consider all undocumented students living in the U.S. as domestic applicants who are eligible for domestic need-based financial aid. Because undocumented students are not eligible for federal aid, Tufts provides institutional financial aid in its place.

How does the financial aid process work for undocumented students?

Because undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, Tufts University offers need-based institutional financial aid. To be considered for financial aid, students must complete the College Board’s CSS Profile and submit their parents’ income tax returns, if available.

For more details on the financial aid process and deadlines, visit the Tufts Financial Aid website.

I am an undocumented student with DACA status. Can I submit a FAFSA?

The FAFSA is not required for undocumented students applying to Tufts. However, some institutions may require the FAFSA from students with DACA status in order to access a Student Aid Report (SAR). An SAR can help demonstrate financial need when a student is applying for institutional aid at particular schools or for additional scholarships from private organizations. For this reason, while DACA recipients are currently not eligible for federal financial aid or federal loans, some students may still choose to complete the FAFSA. A Social Security Number (SSN) is needed to complete the FAFSA. DACA recipients should select “No, I am not a citizen or eligible non-citizen” as a response to the “Are you a citizen?” question on the FAFSA.

The FAFSA is free to complete – be careful of any site that requires you to pay to complete this form.

What financial information or documents do my parents have to provide?

Whether or not your parents file taxes, you must provide information about your parents’ earnings, assets, and expenses on the CSS Profile. If your parents file taxes, you should submit their W-2 form(s) and tax returns via IDOC. If your parents do not file taxes, you can submit a Nontax Filer Statement.

My parents are undocumented and I am applying for financial aid. Will my financial aid be affected by my parents’ status?

No, your parents’ citizenship status will not affect your financial aid eligibility at Tufts because your aid is determined solely on your financial need. In addition to the financial information on the CSS, you will need to submit additional financial documents to Tufts. If your parents file taxes, you should submit their W-2 form(s) and tax returns via IDOC. If your parents do not file taxes, you can submit a Nontax Filer Statement.

Do I qualify for work-study as an undocumented student?

Undocumented students are eligible for non-federal work-study jobs on campus. Tufts Financial Services and the FIRST Resource Center will work with undocumented students to find employment and internship opportunities. Undocumented students with employment authorization may be able to find on- and off-campus employment.

As an undocumented student, should I apply Early Decision or Regular Decision?

You are welcome to apply under any admissions round (Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular Decision, or for transfer admission) regardless of citizenship status. Early Decision is a binding process for first-year applicants in which you commit to enroll at Tufts if you are admitted. Because Tufts financial aid packages cover 100% of the demonstrated financial need of all admitted students, regardless of citizenship status, applying Early Decision or Regular Decision will not impact the amount of financial aid you receive.