Enrolling Undocumented Student

Operational Standard/Purpose

Through Public Act 093-007 (In-State Tuition) and SB 2185 (Illinois DREAM Act), the state of Illinois provides undocumented students with in-state tuition rates and the opportunity to apply for privately funded scholarships. In order to serve these students and provide them the benefits accorded to them by law, the following procedures will outline the documentation to be submitted to Enrollment Services so that students can receive the appropriate tuition rate. 

Diversity is a core value at Illinois Central College, and we welcome all applicants regardless of citizenship status. Undocumented students, with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), who apply to ICC will be treated in the same manner as any U.S. citizen or permanent resident for the purposes of determining residency status.

Scope/Applicability

Undocumented: refers to a foreign national who: 1) entered the United States without inspection or with fraudulent documentation; or 2) entered as a nonimmigrant with proper documentation but then overstayed the terms of his or her status and remained in the United States without authorization, as defined by the National Immigration Law Center. Other terms commonly used in reference to undocumented students include unauthorized, undocumented American, DREAMers, generation 1.5, and aspiring citizens. Undocumented students are not considered international students and do not have to meet international student admission criteria. Legislation passed in 2003 (P.A. 93-007) allows undocumented youth to pay in-state tuition at public universities in Illinois if they meet the following requirements:

1. The individual had to have resided with his or her parents or guardian while attending a public or private high school in Illinois.
2. The individual had to have graduated from a public or private high school OR received the equivalent of a high school diploma (GED) in Illinois.
3. The individual had to have attended school in Illinois for at least 3 years as of the date the individual graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.
4. In case the individual is not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, the individual has to provide the university with an affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.

Time Frame Limitations 

This procedure will need to be reviewed as legislation changes. 

Procedure

When a student indicates they were not born in the USA on their web application, a service indicator is automatically applied to their record requesting that the student bring in immigration documentation to Enrollment Services for how they are in the country. This may include students here on a visa, as a US citizen, or other statuses. In addition, the student will be emailed a copy of the affidavit to complete. 

If a student is not a US citizen or naturalized citizen and does not have a valid permanent resident card or a valid visa (otherwise referred to as an undocumented student), the student fills out and signs the affidavit in the presence of a Notary Public. The student’s residency is then reviewed using the same process for all students. The student does not have to prove residency in the ICC 514 district 30 days prior to the start of the term if they attended the in-district high school as noted above. The residency is changed when the affidavit is signed and residency will remain in-district as long as there is no change to the student's address.

Additional Provisions/Information

These guidelines do not apply to students who have entered the US on a current visa of any type.