Financial Aid for Documented Students but Undocumented parents

During my financial aid process, I filled out everything normally and even though I am a legal citizen, I'm being denied financial aid because my parent is undocumented? What can I do about this? What are my options?

Elizabeth,

We are currently awaiting for an immigration lawyer to let us know whether it is possible for documented students to be denied aid due to their parents' legal status. I will post up a response as soon as I receive an answer.

Are there any other students in this same situation?

Thank you for your patience!

-Jazmin

Elizabeth,

The following advice has been provided by immigration attorney, Eneida Roman:

It is possible "that students that are not emancipated need to submit taxes from their parents. Therefore, if the parents have been filing taxes under "false" social security numbers, or if they have not filed taxes at all, then that would most likely be an obstacle for the federal aid. A student's family needs to prove financial hardship in order to get help and that could very well be the obstacle.

My recommendation would be that these students make sure they are legally emancipated so that they qualify for financial aid from their schools, and so their parent's income is not involved in the equation."

Hello,
we are having the same problem with some cousins of ours here in the state of texas...so instead of filling out the FAFSA...my cousins are going to have to fill out the TASFA (fafsa but only for the state of texas)....perhaps your state has a financial aid form to fill out too....good luck

I have made a new post regarding FAFSA and students with undocumented parents. Please make sure to read the new information that I posted. The post is titled "Important Information on FAFSA and Students with Undocumented Parents" and can be found under this same folder "Undocumented Students". If you are a citizen, you have the right to apply for FAFSA.

Saludos,

- Jazmin

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Important Information on FAFSA and Students with Undocumented Parents

There have been a few concerns regarding students who are legal citizens with undocumented parents. Many are under the impression that if parents are undocumented, they cannot apply for FAFSA or else they will jeopardize their parent’s status in this country and will not receive funding. This is FALSE.

Elsie C. Vasquez is an attorney specializing in U.S. immigration law. She has made the following statement regarding students with undocumented parents applying for FAFSA:

“The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows the government to compute the need of the student when granting federal or state financial aid such as Stafford loans, Pell grants and work study. In order to qualify for federal or state financial aid, the student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. An eligible non-citizen includes:

U.S. permanent resident who has an alien registration card or green card,

Conditional permanent resident,

The holder of an arrival-departure record I-94 from the Department of Homeland Security showing any of following designations: Refugee, Asylum Granted, Parolee or Cuban-Haitian Entrant.

Therefore, a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen student can and is eligible to receive FAFSA. His or her parents’ immigration status has no bearing on the student’s eligibility for aid. If one or more parents are undocumented, the student is still eligible for aid. When filling out the FAFSA, the parents’ social security number must be filled out as 000-00-0000.

Please note that if you are in the U.S. on a F1 or F2 student visa, or J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa or G series visa (pertaining to international organizations) you are not an eligible non-citizen.

Even if you aren’t a citizen or eligible non-citizen, don’t give up – you might find financial aid from other sources. Nonprofits are a good place to begin and many post-secondary schools have funding for non-citizens, so be sure to ask the school you’re interested in attending.

The student that was denied FAFSA because of his parent's immigration status should work with a school official and re-send the FAFSA application. The instructions clearly indicate that as long as he is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, he is eligible for aid. Take a look at www.studentaid.ed.gov or call 1-800-433-3243.”

For more information on Elsie C. Vasquez, please visit her at www.elsievasquezlaw.com or [www.facebook.com]. You can also contact her at the following address and number:

Elsie C. Vasquez, Esq.
Law Office of Elsie C. Vasquez
399 Knollwood Road, Suite 112
White Plains, New York 10603
Telephone: 914-949-1701
Fax: 914-949-1865

Wow, thank you jazmin for all the research you do to help all of us figure thing out. And thank the lawyer Elsie who helped you with this as well. i feel bettr knowing i can come here and find answers to most of my school questions.

Thank you, Jessica! Elsie C. Vasquez is extremely knowledgeable in the area of immigration and has provided us with indepth answers to our questions. Please feel free to post more questions so that we can forward to her!

- Jazmin

Hi,
I am so glad I found this post.
I have been trying to work around this issue for about 2 years now. My school has been denying me aid. My fasfa was completely cancelled, I don't get state aid or federal aid. My fin. aid office told me to find a private loan. I am documented US Citizen, sadly undocumented parents, I have filled the fasfa and placed all zeros.
Is there any way I can get some kind of aid???? help.
Jasmine

Jasmine,

Have they provided you with a reason as to why your FAFSA was denied? Again, if your parents are undocumented they should put zeros where the application requests a social security number. If the parents have filed taxes with a tax identification number, then I believe the student should put 999-99-9999 where the application requests the social security number of the parents.

Please let us know if you have more quetsions.

Best of luck to you.

- Elsie C. Vasquez, Esq.

--
The information you obtain in this response to your question is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. The Law Offices of Elsie C. Vasquez invites you to contact us for further services.

Elsie C. Vasquez is an attorney specializing in U.S. immigration law. For more information, please visit her at www.elsievasquezlaw.com or [www.facebook.com]. You can also contact her at the following address and number:

Law Office of Elsie C. Vasquez
399 Knollwood Road, Suite 112
White Plains, New York 10603
Telephone: 914-949-1701
Fax: 914-949-1865

My mom has a SS# but my dad doesn't. And i was born in North Carolina. Should I put my mom's number my applications for financial aid and say i live just with her? Or should I keep the "9" for my dad and put my mom's social only?

Carolina,

We have forwarded your question to immigration lawyer, Elsie C. Vasquez. Please give us a few days to get back to you on your situation.

Thank you,

- Jazmin

You should put both of your parent's information because you have to show their income taxes. If your father jointly files taxes with your mother using a tax identification number, you must include his information by putting 999-99-9999 and your mother's social security number.

Good luck with everything.

Hi, I live in Florida and my brother, who is 18, has recently applied to community college and for financial aid as well but was denied financial aid because of my mom couldn't produce a work visa or green card since she is here illegally (but my brother, siblings, and I are all natural born citizens). Ever since then, my mom has been contemplating moving to California because my uncle says my brother can receive financial aid there much easier than here in Florida. And with that Arizona bill being taken into consideration by the state legislator, my mom is really considering moving to California. We all support her decision but we don't want it to be a waste of time. Is it true that it is easier for my brother (who is a citizen) to receive financial aid in California with an illegal parent (actually both my parents are illegal)?

Maria Jamille,

Even though your mother is undocumented, your brother can receive financial aid if he is a citizen. There should be no reason for you and your family to move to another state. According to immigration lawyer, Elsie C. Vasquez, "A U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen student can and is eligible to receive FAFSA. His or her parents’ immigration status has no bearing on the student’s eligibility for aid. If one or more parents are undocumented, the student is still eligible for aid. When filling out the FAFSA, the parents’ social security number must be filled out as 000-00-0000."

Have you contacted FAFSA to ask them the reason as to why they are denying your brother aid? I would suggest getting in contact with them. If this issue continues, please inform us so that we can look further into this case.

Best of luck!

- Jazmin

I've tried submitting 000-00-0000 for my parents SSN but it won't let me go through. I've already called the FAFSA assitance number and they were no help at all. What do should I do?

Valeria,

We are looking into this matter. Many students have been experiencing this problem.

Thank you for your patience!

- Jazmin

Never enter 999-99-9999 in place of social security number. The FAFSA clearly states that you must enter 000-00-0000. Individual tax identification numbers (ITIN) are for tax purposes only and should not be used on a FAFSA.

MB,

Thank you for the clarification. When students get to the section in FAFSA that requests the parents SS# use TAX ID # or fill in with 000-00-0000.


I would also like to add that we are hearing from a large number of US citizens who are being denied aid based on having one or both undocumented parents. If this is your case, students should contact American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - [www.aclu.org]. They are beginning to sue states for discrimination against US citizens.

Please continue to inform us of any issues that students are facing.

Saludos,

- Jazmin

Actually, if the parents are undocumented, "000-00-0000" should be entered. ITINs should never be used for FAFSA purposes. Please check this official website (scroll all the way down):

[www.finaid.org]

Maria,

Thank you for sharing this information from FinAid.org. - [www.finaid.org]

The article states the following:

If the student is a US Citizen but one or more parents are undocumented, the student is eligible for federal student aid. However, if the parents supply a fake or stolen social security number (SSN) on the form, the student's FAFSA will be rejected when the parent's social security number fails to match. The FAFSA may also be rejected when the parents submit a SSN or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) that is valid for work purposes only. If the parents do not have a social security number or the social security number fails the match, they should use 000-00-0000 as their social security number on the FAFSA form.

Thank you,

Jazmin Cameron, LIC Advisor

HELLO


I AM ALSO BEING DENIED FINANCIAL STATE AID IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE BOTH MY PARENTS ARE UNDOCUMENTED BUT I AM A US CITIZEN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE THAT DOES THIS BECAUSE I DONT HEAR MUCH ABOUT THIS WITHIN OTHER STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA WHO HELP OUT UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS WITH ATTENDING COLLEGE. PLEASE HELP...

-ART

Dear Art,

Have you tried contacting FAFSA directly in regards to your case. Make sure fill in your parent's SS# with 000-00-0000 if you have not done so.


I would suggest that you get in contact with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - [www.aclu.org]. They have looked into these cases and have taken action against states discriminating against US citizens.

Please keep us informed.

Suerte,

Jazmin Cameron, LIC Advisor

I got help from my school counselor and it turns out even though i just put my moms information i still needed to put 0s for my dad ssn too and that fixed everything thank God :)

Dear Alicia,

Thanks for following up with us regarding your situation!

For everyone who is running into issues, please make note of the following response provided by FAFSA:

If your parent does not have a Social Security number (SSN), they must enter 000.00.0000 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If they also filed taxes, select that they filed a Foreign Tax Return, even if they did not. This is the way the system will allow you to continue.

If you have other questions about financial aid, application procedures, eligibility formulas or other student aid topics, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 319-337-5665 between 8:00am and midnight, Monday through Friday and 9:00am to 6:00pmSaturday Eastern Time. You may also e-mail general questions about financial aid by clicking on the "Contact Us" link at our Web site (http://www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov) if you have further questions.

Suerte!

Jazmin Cameron, LIC Advisor

Ok so I have submitted my fasfa.i am a citizen but my parents are not.my fatherr filed his taxes with an itn number so that's what we put on the application.i was denied so do I need to go back and fill it out with all zeros and say that they have filed their taxes and choose they did it under a foreign tax?

Yes, I would recommend following those instructions.

Remember that a FAFSA representative is always available for further questions:

[*] Online Chat Session - representatives are available Monday through Friday (8:00am-11:59pm Eastern Time) and Saturday (9:00am-6:00pm Eastern Time)

[*] Phone - 1‑800‑4‑FED‑AID (1‑800‑433‑3243) or 319‑337‑5665. If you are hearing impaired call the TTY line at 1‑800‑730‑8913.

[*] E-mail at FederalStudentAidCustomerService@ed.gov

Good luck!

Jazmin Cameron, LIC Advisor



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2012 10:47AM by Jazmin Cameron.

Im in the exact situation Art, did you find anything out about NJ?

Dear Eddy,

If a parent does not have a social security number, place 000-00-0000.

If a parent has a federal identification number, place 999-99-9999.

FAFSA has also suggested the following: If your parent does not have a Social Security number (SSN), they must enter 000.00.0000 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If they also filed taxes, select that they filed a Foreign Tax Return, even if they did not. This is the way the system will allow you to continue.

I would recommend getting in contact with a FAFSA representative to confirm the information you should be inputting.

Good luck!

Jazmin Cameron, LIC Advisor

Jazmin, thank you for the information, but by any chance would you happen to know if once I submit my FAFSA with the information required for it to be accepted by the system for my undocumented parent, if the university I attend would be able to see that my parent doesn't have a social security number? I ask this because I am currently attending a public university in the state of Florida, and I have managed to prove residency (allowing me to pay state tuition) and recieve aid aid using my father's information (a U.S. resident) last year, but this year his income is higher, so the only thing available to me are loans, instead of grants (which is still good, but I know I can do better with my mother's lower income, who I live with, since my parents are divorced, and my father lives in another state) and I am very worried that once I submit this undocumented parent's information, that not only will I still remain without grants, but also be forced to pay out of state tuition , which I definitely wouldn't be able to afford ...

I am a financial aid officer who is researching this topic right now. Let me just say this is very rare, either because families in this situation are worried about coming into a financial aid office and admitting their residency status or because there are not many who exist. The girl I am researching for is a US citizen but her parents are not and because she is under 24, not married, no kids, not a homeless youth, not emancipated, not in legal guardianship- she is a dependent student who MUST report parent information on the FAFSA. I know a student can report 000-00-0000 for 1 parent if they are not legal/don't have a social but I don't know if a student can have that reported for BOTH parents. This is what I have asked a Dept. of Education representative. The FAFSA # is not very helpful (800-4-FED AID). Also, many financial aid officers are not very helpful or knowledgable. When I have an answer I will post more details. I think there is nothing more unfair than being a US citizen and the potential to not be able to apply because your parents have to be on the FAFSA. There is something called a Dependency Override, that is done only on case-by-case determinations and completely at the school's discretion. It basically allows the financial aid director to make a dependent student independent if they feel it is warranted and can document the reasons for it. There is a whole chapter about it at>>> a website that is for financial aid officers called www.ifap.ed.gov (Information for financial aid professionals). You can find almost anything regarding aid eligibility on this site. On the home page, right side, part way down there is the 'current handbook'. This is our rule book written by the department of education. This is where all aid administrators get their guidance. It is very extensive and can be hard to find what you are looking for but it is the only place on the internet you can be sure you are getting accurate information about federal aid. There is the AVG (Application (FAFSA) and Verification Guide) as well as many volumes regarding school & student eligibility, calculating, managing & disbursing funds. I have been searching it all day and cannot find an answer to this question. This is the excerpt about the 000-00-0000 social...

AVG-30 "Parents’ personal information (58–67). The FAFSA asks for parents’ SSNs, last names, first initial, date of birth, and month and year they were married, separated, divorced, or widowed. This is to prepare for a possible match with the IRS on AGI, taxes paid, filing status,and number of exemptions claimed. If the SSN, last name, and birth date for at least one parent are not provided, or if neither parent’s SSN matches with the Social Security Administration, the application will be rejected. When the SSN doesn’t match with SSA, the wrong number must be corrected so that the application and SSA agree. For a name or birth date that doesn’t match, correct the application if it’s wrong or re-enter the information if it’s correct. If the parent doesn’t have an SSN, enter 000-00-0000 to prevent or remove a reject code. (See also the SSN chapter in Volume 1.)

On another note, if you, the student, are not a legal citizen or eligible non-citizen (on a student visa, a refugee, on asylum along with many other statuses that would have documentation from USCIS) you ARE NOT eligible to receive federal aid BUT if you can afford to pay for college yourself you could be admitted at a school that is NOT accredited. Just because a school is not accredited doesn't necessarily mean it's not a good school. The accreditation process can take years from when the school opens. Just make sure to ask if they are trying to get accredited which shows they think they could get approved and are probably legit.