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Undocumented Students

Seattle Central College prepares students for life and work in a multicultural and diverse society. We strive to provide a respectful and effective learning environment for all students in the pursuit of their educational goals. Seattle Central enrolls and supports students whose status in the U.S. is undocumented. We recognize that everyone should have a right to access higher education, and undocumented students make essential contributions to our campus, community and nation.

Students Who Are Undocumented

Seattle Central supports prospective and current students who are undocumented. Undocumented refers to people who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States, who do not hold a current visa to reside in the U.S. and who have not been approved for legal residency in the U.S. Undocumented encompasses a wide range of people varying in age, country of origin and time of arrival to the U.S. For more terminology, visit United We Dream #HereToStay Toolkit for Educators.

Funding Your Education

There is no federal or state law that prohibits undocumented students’ admissions to public or private colleges/universities in Washington State. DACA is also not required to receive the Washington State resident tuition rate or financial aid.

Undocumented students entering college level classes are able to receive the Washington State resident tuition rate and apply for State financial aid if the following conditions are met;

  1. Earn a high school diploma, GED, or diploma equivalent before their first term at the college determining residency.
  2. Maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before their first term at the college determining residency.
  3. Sign the affidavit linked below saying they meet the above requirements and that one of the following is true:
    • They will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States (green card) as soon as they are eligible to apply. And that they are willing to engage in activities designed to prepare them for citizenship, including citizenship or civics review courses or
    • They are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

*Please note: Any information provided by students to the institution is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and will not be shared with a third party.