Frequently Asked Questions
There has been much discussion in higher education circles about the eligibility of resources for undocumented students, with or without DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. DACA is an immigration policy initiated by the Obama Administration in 2012. Under the policy, certain undocumented immigrants to the United States who entered the country as minors can receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for employment.
Additionally, U.S. lawful permanent resident and U.S. citizen students with undocumented or foreign parents/guardians may have questions about their eligibility. Please review the information provided below.
Please remember that this FAQ is not legal advice but guiding principles designed to ensure our K-State community understands their rights and responsibilities.
Question Categories
Select a category of questions to find the answers most quickly below.
- Admission
- Education Abroad
- Finances, Scholarships and Aid
- Immigration and Deportation
- Jobs and Internships
Admission
A Social Security Number (SSN) is not required for K-State admission. The question is optional on the combined admission/scholarship application. If you do not have a SSN, you may enter zeros (000-00-0000) to continue. However, please know that a SSN, U.S. permanent residency or citizenship may be required to apply for federal financial aid/or to take advantage of federal education tax credit/incentives.
Education Abroad
We encourage students to both visit with K-State's Education Abroad office and visit the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border website to learn more about the Protection Advance Parole Program.
Finances, Scholarships and Aid
A Social Security Number (SSN) is not required for K-State scholarship eligibility. The question is optional on the combined admission/scholarship application. If you do not have a SSN, you may enter zeros (000-00-0000) to continue. However, please know that a SSN, U.S. permanent residency or citizenship may be required to apply for federal financial aid/or to take advantage of federal education tax credit/incentives.
In 2004, Kansas State Legislature voted to institute House Bill 2145 also known as K.S.A. 76-731a into law. Through this statute, undocumented students are eligible to pay in-state tuition at a Kansas college or university. Students must meet the following Kansas residency statute and regulations or special circumstances to be considered a Kansas resident for tuition purposes. You can also learn more about K-State's residency policies and requirements on the admissions website.
Eligible student:
- Has attended an accredited Kansas high school for three or more years and
- Has either graduated from an accredited Kansas high school or has earned a GED issued in Kansas and
- a.) in the case of a person without lawful immigration status; has signed and filed an affidavit with the institution stating that the person or the person’s parents have filed an application to legalize such person’s immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as such person is eligible to do so or
b.) in the case of a person with a legal, nonpermanent immigration status, has filed with the postsecondary educational institution an affidavit stating that such person has filed an application to begin the process for U.S. citizenship or will file such application as soon as such person is eligible to do so.
Ineligible student:
- Has a valid student visa; or
- At the time of enrollment, is eligible to enroll in a public postsecondary educational institution located in another state upon payment of fees and tuition required of residents of such state.
Please review the complete Kansas Board of Regents FAQ on Kansas 2004 House Bill 2145, as well as the KBOR Eligibility for Resident Tuition for Certain Undocumented Immigrants and Others document (PDF).
Please contact the Division of Financial Services, Cashiers and Student Accounts Office, cashiers@k-state.edu, 785.532-3350, 211 Anderson Hall, for additional instruction, or reach out to Kevin Santos Flores, Student Belonging, at ksantosf@k-state.edu. Do not mail the form to the IRS.
According to Federal Student Aid, if you are neither a U.S. citizen nor an eligible noncitizen, you are not eligible for federal student aid student aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Review the eligible non-U.S. citizen criteria. Kansas State University does not require any undocumented or DACA-mented student to complete the FAFSA.
Yes. The student must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible non-U.S. citizen to be eligible federal financial aid. It does not matter if the student’s parents are undocumented, under-documented, or foreign citizens. FAFSA form does not ask about parents’ immigration status. Student loans, Pell grants and work-study program funds are awarded to the student, not the parent(s).
Undocumented parents will not be eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) as they do not have a valid social security number. Learn more about the Data Retrieval Tool eligibility and how to use it.
- Information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out - Financial aid and undocumented students questions and answers: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-citizens
- Are you a U.S. Citizen: Information regarding question 14 on the paper Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form
Immigration and Deportation
University policies regarding disclosure of student records remain the same under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA. We do not release student records without written consent from the student or a lawfully issued subpoena, warrant or judicial order. It remains our policy to require the necessary legal documents before disclosing student records or information derived from student records.
On January 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rescinded the protected areas policy, removing protocol that previously limited immigration enforcement from sensitive locations, including schools. While the university does not have information to indicate an increase in immigration enforcement at its campuses, we have organized information and resources for our university community. Please learn more by visiting our Immigration Updates and Resources page.
Please see the “Student Guidance: Understanding your rights and resources if contacted by ICE” section of the Immigration Updates and Resources page.
Please see the “Faculty, Staff and Employee Guidance: Steps to take if contacted by ICE” section of the Immigration Updates and Resources page.
Generally, yes. A residence hall room is considered a limited access area and cannot be legally accessed by immigration enforcement officers without a valid criminal warrant or the voluntary consent of the occupant. A student generally need not allow entry to any law enforcement officer who is not in possession of a criminal warrant, regardless of what that officer might say.
University resources and links to some external resources are available on our Immigration Updates and Resources page.
Jobs and Internships
Yes, if your temporary work permit and social security card are current, they can be used to apply for internships, on-campus and off-campus employment. K-State’s Career Center can assist you in job search training and career advising, as well as connecting you with other resources. Keep in mind that as a DACA-mented student, you are not eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program because it is awarded through FAFSA.