"But Miss, I don't got no papers!"
Erase this sentence from your lexicon, because it is no longer an excuse to not go to college. Did you know that even if you are undocumented you can still take the SAT, apply to schools, and receive financial aid? That's right!
The SAT and ACT don't require social security numbers or any proof of citizenship. You need to take a photo id with you to the test, but a school ID works just fine.
In Texas, you can still apply to schools using ApplyTexas. This one application can be used to apply to schools all across the state of Texas*. It works regardless of your or your parents' immigration statuses. As long as you, the student, have lived here for three years, you can go to college in Texas.
Now for the most important piece, paying for school. If you are here illegally, you will have a slightly different way of getting financial aid. In 2002, the Texas government realized it was better for the economy to have students in school and to make it affordable. According to House Bil 1403 and Senate Bill 1528, they are allowed to attend public Texas schools and to receive in-state tuition rates. You just need to fill out the TASFA instead of the FAFSA. This requires pretty much the same documents and numbers from your income taxes as the FAFSA would. You will fill it out on paper and send a copy to every school you applied as well as a notarized affidavit which states that you will become a citizen as soon as possible. This will be processed by the schools and sent back to you with your expected family contribution (EFC) and financial aid package. Find a few scholarships to cover your unmet need, and you are good to go!
Just remember: College is for ALL Texans (regardless of immigration status).
*Some schools, especially the private ones, are not using ApplyTexas, so you must use the Common Application for those. Those applications will be slightly more difficult for undocumented students to get. However, every year more and more schools are joining ApplyTexas.
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