DACA and Undocumented Students
This site is dedicated to help DACA and undocumented students find resources in the Willamette campus. These resources range from how to apply or renew for DACA, scholarships, and college and graduate application process.
Campus contact for DACA students
Michael Niño, Assistant Professor of Sociology. Professor Niño is the contact person for all DACA/undocumented students and staff from across campus for the 2017-18 academic year and can provide a number of external and internal resources that are available. For those that are interested, his contact information is:.
Email: mdnino@willamette.edu
Office: Smullin 213
Phone: 503-370-6643
Oregon legislation on DACA and Undocumented Students
Oregon has passed the following three laws in order to help undocumented students attend college and achieve a higher education.
- Tuition Equity (2013): This law allows eligible undocumented students pay in-state tuition at a public university within the state of Oregon.
- Oregon Opportunity Grant (2015): This law enables eligible undocumented students to apply and receive a state-funded financial aid program, or more commonly known as the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
- Oregon Promise (2015):This law allows undocumented students request a waiver of tuition at community colleges.
The above and following information was taken from Oregon Goes to College.
What is Tuition Equity?
Tuition Equity or more commonly known as the “exemption from non-resident tuition and fees” allows students who are either none-U.S citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States to be free from having to pay out-of state tuition fees when enrolled in an Oregon public university.
Who qualifies for Tuition Equity?
- A student who has received a high school diploma or GED in the state of Oregon.
- A student who has attended an elementary school or secondary/high school in Oregon during each of the three years before receiving their high school diploma, or leaving school before receiving their diploma.
- A student who has attended an elementary school or secondary/high school in a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in each of the five years before receiving a high school diploma or leaving school before earning a diploma.
- A student who demonstrates the intention to become a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
What is the Oregon Opportunity Grant?
The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) is Oregon's largest state-funded need-based grant program that is designed to financial aid undocumented students who are planning to attend college in the state of Oregon.
Who qualifies for the Oregon Opportunity Grant?
Students can apply for the Oregon Opportunity Grant if they are eligible to receive the Oregon Opportunity Grant. This includes those students who are either residents of Oregon or who are free from paying out-of state tuition. As well as the students who are planning to attend college in Oregon and are working towards receiving an undergraduate degree (associate’s or a bachelor’s degree), are enrolled in a program of study and are in good academic standing.
How to apply for the Oregon Opportunity Grant?
Since students who are eligible to receive tuition equity cannot apply for FAFSA, OSAC has created an alternative application that students can complete in order to receive financial aid. Click here to know whether you qualify to apply for the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
What is the Oregon Promise Program?
Oregon Promise Program provides grants to students who qualify the specific criteria listed below. These students must be working for a one-year curriculum for transfer to either a post-secondary institution, an associate degree or a program in career and technical education at an Oregon community college.
Who is eligible to apply for the Oregon Promise Program?
Students can apply for the Oregon Promise Program if they:
- have been an Oregon resident for at least a year before enrolling at a community college
- received a high school diploma, GED or completed the 12th grade
- received a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or higher
- enrolled at an Oregon community college within six months of receiving their high school diploma
- completed FAFSA annually and have not completed more than 90 credit hours or the programs mentioned above
How to apply for the Oregon Promise Program?
Undocumented students who are qualified can apply for the Oregon Promise Program by also completing the Oregon Student Aid Application, or also known as ORSAA (Due March 1st). DACA students are encouraged to complete both FAFSA and ORSAA.
