Resources for Undocumented Students in Tennessee

Yes, undocumented students are allowed to attend all colleges and universities in Tennessee and this resource is designed to make sure students, families and college advisers know how to help them get there. There are many undocumented students attending college in Tennessee and it is important that they know their options.

No, undocumented and DACA students are ineligible for in-state tuition at public institutions in Tennessee. Undocumented students who are considering attending a public institution should look at the out-of-state tuition rate to estimate their tuition costs. However, most private institutions charge all students at the same rate, regardless of citizenship or residency status.

No, undocumented students DO NOT qualify for any state or federal financial aid, including Pell, Promise, or HOPE. If you are advising students, DO NOT ask them to complete a TN Promise form, HOPE Scholarship, or any other state applications for financial aid. BUT – undocumented and DACA students can qualify for financial aid granted by a private institution and for private scholarships such as the Equal Chance for Education Scholarship.

Neither of these forms are required for graduation, and students cannot be penalized for not completing them. Schools with 100% completion goals must emphasize that they want 100% of ELIGIBLE students to complete the forms. Staff should take care not to call out students who don’t complete them, or pull them into separate rooms or areas of an auditorium, or force them to disclose their status. Respecting a student’s privacy must be paramount.

It depends on your citizenship status and the institution to which you apply. While undocumented/DACA students are currently ineligible for state and federal financial aid in Tennessee, some institutions may request that you manually complete the FAFSA on paper to determine institution granted aid. For specific questions, consider speaking to the institution’s office of financial aid. For specific scenarios, see below: 

• For undocumented students without DACA and with undocumented parents:
  • No, you do not need to fill out the FAFSA, given that a SSN is required to fill out the FAFSA. Undocumented students are currently not eligible for federal or state financial aid in Tennessee. Depending on the institution you apply to, you may still be asked to complete a paper FAFSA or alternative forms to determine eligibility for institution granted aid. They will need that information to estimate how much the family can contribute to college costs, and how much scholarship aid they should offer. 

• For DACA students, with undocumented parents:
  • DACA recipients are not currently eligible for state or federal financial aid. Depending on the institution you apply to, you may still be asked to complete the FAFSA or alternative forms to determine eligibility for institution granted aid. If this is the case, you could complete the FAFSA with the social security number you received via DACA.

• For legal permanent residents of Tennessee, with undocumented parents: 
  • You should fill out the FAFSA. The process is currently still unclear on whether undocumented parents should complete their portion of the FAFSA, due to the new FAFSA form being released later this year. Legal permanent residents of Tennessee are eligible for both federal and state financial aid, regardless of whether their parents are undocumented. We will update this section as we learn more on the new FAFSA form. For more information on completing the FAFSA for mixed status families, please follow this link:  https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Better-FAFSA-for-Mixed-Status-Families.pdf

• For all undocumented/DACA/mixed status families:
  • You may still be asked to complete a paper FAFSA or alternative forms, depending on the institution you apply to. This information is important for calculating how much scholarship or financial aid you can receive.

You can say that you do not have a social security number. You do not have to answer any further questions or explain your situation after that. You can respectfully respond that your legal status is a private family matter, and you prefer not to discuss it. 

School personnel are NOT allowed to ask a student or their family about their legal status. Student personnel may not collect or share information on a student’s immigration status, or identify them as undocumented in databases or lists. This matter was settled in 1982 through the Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v Doe. There are times when a student or family may choose to disclose this information with a trusted staff member. That is up to their discretion.

There are many organizations both nationally and in Tennessee that help support undocumented students looking to go to college/university. The Higher Education Immigration Portal has this helpful website with more information. 

Here is a list of organizations throughout the state based on location:

West Tennessee:
Latino Memphis
Su Casa

Middle Tennessee:
Tennessee Immigrants Rights Coalition (TIRRC) (does work state-wide)
FUTURO
Equal Chance for Education
Latino Achievers

East Tennessee
Centro Hispano de East Tennessee
Hola Lakeway
La Paz

There are many things allies can do to help the undocumented community and the students within it. You can volunteer and donate to the following organizations: 

West Tennessee:
Latino Memphis
Su Casa

Middle Tennessee:
Tennessee Immigrants Rights Coalition (TIRRC) (does work state-wide)
FUTURO
Equal Chance for Education
Latino Achievers

East Tennessee
Centro Hispano de East Tennessee
Hola Lakeway
La Paz

No, los empleados de escuelas no pueden preguntar por el estatus de estudiantes o de sus familias.

Undocumented students are eligible to enroll in every type of institution in Tennessee, with many undocumented students currently pursuing a postsecondary education in the state. It is crucial for undocumented students to know what types of institutions are available to them. Look below to see which best fits your education interests:

• Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology – TCATs have 27 locations throughout the state with 70 different certifications and training in professions. Not all programs are available at each location, but some include: HVAC, automotive technology, cosmetology, and nursing aid. Part-time and full-time study are available in certain areas as well as evening and night classes. Costs depend on the program, and most last less than 2 years. Generally, TCATs are an affordable option to pursue postsecondary education for many students, regardless of citizenship status.  

• Community Colleges – There are 13 community colleges in Tennessee where students can pursue certificates or Associate’s degrees in fields like Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing. Most programs at community colleges are for 2 years or less if a student enrolls full-time. However, undocumented students must pay out-of-state tuition at community colleges, at $726 per credit hour. As a result, community colleges are typically far more expensive than TCATs and even some 4-year universities for undocumented students. At community colleges, the average tuition for undocumented students is around $17,000 per year. 

• Tennessee Public Universities or Colleges  – There are 10 public universities in Tennessee where you can earn a Bachelor’s degree, which typically take 4 years to complete. Costs vary depending on the university, but undocumented students must pay out-of-state tuition at these institutions. Degree programs and majors also vary depending on the institution. There is significant variation in degree programs and tuition costs – undocumented students should check each institution’s out-of-state tuition rates and programs to identify if there are institutions that may be a good fit. At public institutions, tuition rates for undocumented students can range from $9,000 to $30,000 per year.
• Tennessee Private Universities or Colleges – There are a variety of private universities or colleges in Tennessee where you can pursue a Bachelor’s degree. At these institutions, all students are charged the same tuition rate, regardless of citizenship or residency status. While private institutions tend to have a higher overall tuition rate, they also tend to offer more scholarships or financial aid for DACA or undocumented students. Undocumented and DACA students can inquire to an institution’s financial aid office to see what scholarship options may be available. At private institutions in Tennessee, tuition rates range from $9,000 to over $50,000 per year.

Here is a compilation of non-profit, postsecondary institutions in Tennessee and scholarships available to undocumented students. Institutions are organized by the price that an undocumented student will be charged, found in column C. Please note that this tuition rate in column C does not necessarily mean how much an undocumented student will actually pay, as many institutions will offer financial aid packages that reduce the amount a student must pay, including to undocumented students. Additionally, column C reflects tuition rates from 2020-21 – please go to an institution’s official website or contact their financial aid office to inquire about the most updated tuition rates or financial aid packages they offer. To view scholarship opportunities, click on the “scholarships” tab found at the bottom of the spreadsheet.  

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