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Undocumented Admission

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Undocumented Admissions

Welcome to the University of Oklahoma Undocumented Admissions webpage. The University of Oklahoma recognizes the importance of supporting you through this process and aims to be a source of information and guidance for you. This page holds information below that will answer your questions about admissions and will provide you details about financial resources. In the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, we do our best to find and provide the resources to better serve undocumented and DACA students as they are students who work hard to pursue their education and deserve access to higher education and become members of the OU family. This is a safe place.

How to Apply as an Undocumented Student

The University of Oklahoma welcomes all undergraduate and graduate applicants regardless of citizenship status. Undocumented students, with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, should follow the same application procedure as all other OU applicants.

The University of Oklahoma undergraduate application for admission allows undocumented students to self-identify and be processed correctly.

The Common Application, also used for freshman admissions at the University of Oklahoma, does not have an option for students to list themselves as “undocumented" however, applications will be routed to the appropriate admissions counselor based on the questions answered in the application.

The Coalition with Scoir Application, also used for freshman admissions at the University of Oklahoma, does not have an option for students to list themselves as “undocumented" however, applications will be routed to the appropriate admissions counselor based on the questions answered in the application.

The University of Oklahoma Graduate Application for Admission does not have an option for students to list themselves as “undocumented.” Students should complete the regular online application, list themselves as citizens or permanent residents and then contact the office to change their citizenship status to the proper status.

Additionally if you were to have questions regarding your graduate student application contact the Graduate Admission Office at gradadm@ou.edu.

Questions regarding specific resources or financial aid are departmental based and we encourage you to contact your programs college directly. 

Graduate Admissions

 

Students with Undocumented Parents

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with undocumented parents, will be able to apply to their FAFSA regularly until they have to sign the parent signature page. They will not be able to sign electronically and will need to PRINT out the signature page and mail it to FAFSA.

The hard copy should be signed and mailed to:

Federal Student Aid Programs
PO Box 7652
London, KY 40742-7652

Documents & Financial Aid

Undocumented students are not eligible to receive federally funded financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, or work study money.  For additional information and frequently asked questions about financial aid and undocumented students go to Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education

Undocumented students who provide the institution a copy of a true and correct application or petition filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to legalize their immigration status, may be eligible for state and university scholarships.

CollegeBoard identifies three main areas where undocumented students may have special concerns or obstacles:  admission, tuition and financial aid. Read the full article.

Affidavit of Intent 

In accordance with House Bill 1804 students who are undocumented who graduate from a public or private high school in the state of Oklahoma while residing in Oklahoma with a parent or guardian while attending school for at least 2 years prior to their high school graduation may receive in-state tuition by completing the Affidavit of Intent (pdf).

Opting Out of the FAFSA

According to Senate Bill NO. 93 Oklahoma will require seniors attending public high schools to complete the FAFSA as a requirement for graduation starting with the 2024-2025 school year.

Due to the FAFSA needing the student to have a social security number in order to file, please reference the following opting out process, as we do not want the FAFSA completion requirement stopping students from graduating.

  • A student shall not be required to comply with the provisions of subsection A of this section if: 

    • The student’s parent or legal guardian submits a signed form authorizing the student to opt out of the requirement of subsection A of this section; 

    • A student age eighteen (18) or older submits a signed form authorizing him or her to opt out of the requirement of subsection A of this section; or

    •  A school counselor authorizes a student to opt out of the requirement of subsection A of this section.

  • Please work with your schools in completing the needed form(s).

Federal & Public Funding 

Public universities and colleges are funded federally through their state and country. Due to this, there are limitations on who qualifies to receive financial aid. Ask the school(s) you are applying to if any aid is not federally funded for students who are undocumented. For instance, private donors, department-specific funding, and funding that is not regulated federally.

Housing Exemption

The cost of attending our school can be daunting, as an undocumented student know we have processes in place that assist in making OU possible. By filling out the housing exemption form, found the OU Housing applicaation once a student is admitted, your form will be reviewed by the University Housing Review Committee and one could be exempt from the requirement of living on campus. Please refer to the Residency Requirements to see what eligibility exception you qualify for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically, undocumented immigrants have entered the U.S. without inspection or legal permission. Being undocumented can also refer to a person with expired paperwork or a person in deportation proceedings.

Undocumented students are often brought to the U.S. by their parents at very young ages, have completed most of their schooling in this country, and find out about their lack of legal status when they are in high school. Not having a social security number is one potential sign of being undocumented.

Federal law does not prohibit states from providing in-state tuition to undocumented students.  Currently, at least 18 states have provisions allowing for in-state tuition rates for undocumented students.  Sixteen states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington—extend in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through state legislation. Two states—Oklahoma and Rhode Island—allow in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through Board of Regents decisions.  For further information, please visit the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In 2008, HB 1804 was passed, placing the burden of whether to provide in-state tuition to undocumented students on the Oklahoma Board of Regents (OSRHE Chapter 3, 3.17.6).  Undocumented students still receive in-state tuition if they meet the following requirements:

  • Graduated from public or private high school in Oklahoma
  • Resided in Oklahoma with a parent or guardian while attending classes for at least 2 years prior to high school graduation
  • Secured admission to, and enrolled in, an institution within the Oklahoma state system of higher education; and provided to the institution a copy of a true and correct application or petition filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to legalize the student’s status OR filed an Affidavit of Intent (PDF).
Notary services could be free or come at a charge. Please contact the location prior to visiting in order to verify notary services are available. Services are not available in all locations. 
 
  • The UPS Store Notary Services
  • Banks: US Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, and other local banks.
  • Public libraries
  • Tax agency and credit unions

Please contact OU Diversity Enrichment Programs if you are unable to find a notary at dep@ou.edu or 405-325-3742.

The University of Oklahoma welcomes all undergraduate and graduate applicants regardless of citizenship status. Undocumented students, with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, should follow the same application procedure as all other OU applicants.

The University of Oklahoma provides scholarships through the OU American Dream Scholarship. However, students who apply to OU should be aware that it is essential to apply for outside scholarships too. You can view additional scholarships below. If you have questions about this funding please contact Diversity Enrichment Programs at dep@ou.edu.

Donations to the American Dream Scholarship can be made online. Donors can search for "The American Dream Scholarship" in the search field.

Contact

Sharlotte Gramajo
Sharlotte Gramajo

Admissions Counselor
405-325-3742
sharlotte.o.gramajo@ou.edu
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Diversity Enrichment Programs