Questions and Answers About House Bill 144

1. Who is considered to be undocumented?

• Undocumented students include those students born outside of the United States; many of whom have lived in this country for a significant portion of their lives, and who reside here without the legal permission of the federal government. Some undocumnented students and their families entered the country on tourist or work visas and chose to stay in teh US after their visas expired. Others entered without any form of legal immigration status. (Olivarez, 2005)

2. Who can assist me in applying for college?

• Your high school counselors and college advisors are equipped with valuable information and resources to help you apply for college and private scholarships. However, due to your undocumented status, notifying people about your status can be a scary and risky thing to do. If you feel more comfortable with your teachers, college recruiters, community members, etc. you can ask them for assistance in applying for college. Not everyone is familiar with the process by which undocumented students must navigate the educational system, so finding key people who know about HB 144 is important.

3. Can I apply for scholarships if I'm undocumented?

• Yes, there are some scholarships undocumented students can apply for, however, they must be private scholarships that are NOT administered through the University (Click Link). Undocumented students are not eligible for funding or financial aid through the US Government. These privately owned scholarships often award undocumented students scholarships and if questions about your SSN or parent’s income tax information are requested, contact the scholarship committee to see the best way to present this information.

4. Can I apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid "FAFSA" if I am undocumented?

• No, Undocumented students are not eligible to obtain fianacial aid from the US government

5. What do I do if my college application and/or scholarship application are requesting my social security number (SSN)?

• Many times the college application and scholarships that request your SSN might state that it is optional. If it is a requirement for the college application, you can submit the HB 144 Affidavit worksheet with your college application to notify them that you qualify for in-state tuition but are not documented. If a scholarship is requesting your SSN, you can contact the scholarship organization and explain that you are a HB 144 student and ask for advice on what to do. If you decide not to contact the scholarship organization, you can leave the space blank.

6. Where can I find the HB 144 affidavit to apply for college?

• Attached to this resource guide you will find a sample affidavit to fill out. You can also request a HB 144 Affidavit at the admission office at most colleges and universities in the state of Utah.

7. Who will have access to my affidavit once I submit it?

• Once you submit your affidavit to your specific college or university, that institution will have your information on file but it is against the law for them to share that information with any other persons, organizations, or immigration agents. The only way that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent will have your information, is for them to subpoena this information from the college or university admission office.

8. If my parents are undocumented, but I am documented, am I eligible for financial aid?

• Yes, if you are a U.S. Citizen, you are eligible to receive financial aid. If one or both of your parents are undocumented, you can enter 000-00-0000 for their SSN on the FASFA application process. (see this page for information about FASFA)

9. Does allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition violate immigration policy?

• No, undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition must attend a Utah high school for three or more years, therefore meeting Utah residency requirements.