Undocumented Students

Undocumented Students

On April 27, 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly enacted a new state law that allows undocumented students to apply for institutional financial aid.  These students must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements along with an affidavit to Charter Oak State College about their intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so.  This law does not apply to non-immigrant visa holders.

Undocumented veterans became eligible for institutional aid consideration beginning with the fall 2018 semester.  To be eligible, veteran students must meet the following criteria:

• Honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces;
• Thirty years of age or younger on June 15, 2012;
• Fifteen years of age or younger when they arrived in the United States and have continuously resided in the United States since such arrival; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony in this state or another state.

Non-veteran undocumented students became eligible for institutional aid consideration begining with the spring 2020 semester.  To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes;
• Thirty years of age or younger on June 15, 2012;
• Sixteen years of age or younger when they arrived in the United States and have continuously resided in the United States since such arrival; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony in this state or another state.

Institutional financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need and fund availability.  In order to be considered for institutional financial aid, undocumented students must meet these additional eligibility requirements:

• Must be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes;
• Must be accepted into an undergraduate degree program (institutional aid is not available for certificate program students or graduate program students);
• Must be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits per semester);
• Must meet the College's Satisfactory Academic Progress policy;
• Must meet any priority deadlines or requirements published by the College related to the receipt of institutional financial aid. 

Students are also encouraged to search for scholarship opportunities from additional resources.  Many organizations do not have restrictions based on citizenship or legal status.