Resources for Undocumented Parents

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

If your child is a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, they can (and should) complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access money from the federal government, the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), colleges, and scholarship organizations.

For your child to complete the FAFSA and access this money, you will need to do two things:

  1. Create and verify a StudentAid.gov account
  2. Complete the FAFSA parent section

It is completely free to complete the FAFSA. StudentAid.gov will not ask you about your citizenship status and will not share your information with the Department of Homeland Security. When you contribute your information to the FAFSA parent section, you do not commit to paying for your child’s college education.

How to Create and Verify Your StudentAid.gov Account (FSA ID): 

  • Go to StudentAid.gov’s account creation page
  • Click on “Get Started”
  • Enter your full name and date of birth
  • Click on “What if I don’t have a Social Security number?”
  • Check the box next to “I do not have a Social Security number.”
  • Click “I do NOT have an SSN” in the pop-up box
  • Create a username and password that you will remember and write them down
  • Enter your email address (not school or work email)
  • Enter your address and phone number (for account access/two-step verification)
    1. Take a picture of how you entered your address—when your student invites you to their FAFSA, the invitation must match this exactly (e.g., Road vs. Rd is a mismatch)
  • Set communication and language preferences
  • Set your challenge questions and answers and write them down
  • Confirm and verify your information
  • Enable two-step verification
  • Receive your backup code and write it down
  • Answer the TransUnion knowledge-based identity questions
    1. If you pass the questions, your account is verified
    2. If you do not see the questions or if you do not answer the questions correctly, you must email the attestation form and pictures of specific document(s) to IDVerification@ed.gov
      1. This form asks for a case number. If you did not receive an email with a case number, you can call the FSA Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 and ask for a case number from a Tier II FSA ID Specialist

How to Complete the FAFSA Parent Section: 

  • Locate your 2023 federal tax return (if you were required to file taxes)
  • Your child should start their FAFSA at FAFSA.gov
  • Your child should invite you to their FAFSA. They will need this information:
    • Your full name and date of birth (exactly as your entered it in your StudentAid.gov account)
    • Your address (exactly as your entered it in your StudentAid.gov account)
    • Your email address
  • Click on the email invitation from your child or access the invitation in the “My Activity” section of your StudentAid.gov account
  • Click “Accept Invitation” to start the FAFSA parent section
  • Verify your identity information is correct
  • Consent to direct data exchange (DDX) by clicking “Approve”
  • Answer the demographic questions (enter the state/district in which you live now as your “State of Legal Residence”)
  • Enter your financial information based on your 2023 federal taxes and current bank statements (unless otherwise specified)
  • Report federal benefits received by your family in 2023 or 2024
    • For example, if any of your children qualified for Free or Reduced Price School Lunch based on your income, check this box
    • Receiving benefits will not decrease your child’s financial aid and may help your child get more money
  • Make sure you count all your eligible children and other dependents in your “Family Size”
    • For example, if your parents live with you, and you provide more than half of their financial support, include them
  • Check your answers and click “Continue”
  • Check the box next to your name and click “Sign and Submit”

CSS Profile

Some colleges also require another financial aid form, the CSS Profile. You do not need a Social Security number (SSN) to complete the CSS Profile with your child. It is important to complete this form because colleges that require the CSS Profile often have more financial aid to give to students. The CSS Profile is free if your family adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less.