Undocumented Student Resources
Undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students do not qualify for federal financial aid. However, there are resources to help students fund their education.
Through the passage of the Illinois Retention for Illinois Students & Equity Act (also known as the RISE Act), students might be eligible for state financial aid through the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. For further information or to get help completing the application, please call the LARES office at (312) 996-3356 to schedule an appointment with a LARES advisor.
Additional information regarding resources for undocumented students at UIC can be obtained by contacting the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Inclusion Tanya Cabrera (tcabrera@uic.edu) or by visiting https://dream.uic.edu/.
You can also learn more about the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by visiting the Illinois Student Assistance Commission website.
The RISE Act and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid Heading link
Undocumented Student Scholarships Heading link
If qualified, undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students are eligible to apply for any of the LARES scholarships available. Please visit the LARES Scholarship Opportunities page to review available scholarships.
Students might also be eligible for scholarships from private foundations or community organizations. Below is a list of scholarships that are open to undocumented students.