7-10 Admissions, Tuition and Scholarships for Non-Citizen, Long-Term U.S. Residents/Undocumented Students

• Attachments are included in the PDF file.
• Effective date of this revision: December 18, 2019
• Contact for more information:  Office of Undergraduate Admissions/Enrollment Student Services

BACKGROUND

Federal and state law does not prohibit the admission of an undocumented student, nor does it require a prospective student to prove citizenship to receive admission to colleges and universities. Prior to 2015, Central Michigan University did not outline its policies and procedures regarding offering college admissions and merit scholarships to undocumented and “DACA-mented” students. The former policy approved on July 1, 2015, was crafted as a means of remaining inclusive and supportive of all students. However, it did not provide clear guidance for undocumented students without DACA status.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this revision is to improve the current policy in place for undocumented students drafted by Undergraduate Admissions and approved by former CMU President, Dr. George Ross in 2015. The current policy has inconsistencies and areas no longer relevant based on university and political charges. Additionally, the policy doesn’t address our graduate, international, and online platforms, and their updated tuition structures and scholarships.

DEFINITIONS

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) – DACA is a program, announced on June 12, 2012, by former U.S. President Barack Obama, that protects eligible applicants from deportation and provides work authorization for a renewal period of 2 years. This status’ future is unknown and in limbo with the current administration.

DACA-mented – This term is used by undocumented individuals who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or once had DACA status. The term “DACA-mented” is sometimes used to navigate away from the negative connections given to terms such as undocumented immigrant, foreign alien, non-U.S. citizen and so forth.

Undocumented student – A student who: (1) entered the United States without inspection or without proper documentation; or (2) entered legally as a non-immigrant but then violated the terms of their status and remained in the United States without authorization (as defined by the National Immigration Law Center). Many undocumented students would qualify for DACA status, however, due to time, financial burden and the political climate, it is increasingly harder for eligible students to obtain this status. An undocumented student is a non-citizen, long-term U.S. resident just like those with DACA status, or those who formerly received DACA status.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, approximately 100,000 undocumented students graduated form a United States High School every year. Central Michigan University remains committed to supporting students from all backgrounds and this includes undocumented students around the country.

Many college-bound undocumented students, or non-citizens, long-term U.S. residents:

• Lived in the United States most of their lives
• May or may not have DACA status
• Entered the United States at a young age by way of their parent(s)
• Learned English
• Attended elementary, middle and high school in the United States
• May have come to the United States on a visa that has since expired
• Excelled academically and simply want to attend college
• Are exempt form using Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds
• Could receive institutional scholarships.

POLICY

An undocumented, and/or DACA-mented student, as a non-citizen, long-term U.S. resident, can be admitted to Central Michigan University following the institution’s standard admissions policies and procedures for domestic undergraduate and graduate students.

In 2018, the Central Michigan University’s Board of Trustees approved in-state tuition to all U.S. citizens and developed the “One Tuition” that replaced the 2.75 minimum grade point average requirement for an out-of-state student to receive in-state tuition. Tuition and Fee Rates

Therefore, any admitted undergraduate or graduate non-citizen, long-term U.S. resident will follow the domestic student tuition structure and cost of any U.S. resident if they have met all the following criteria:

• Currently resides in the United States
• If a student is an incoming freshman, they must provide attendance of a high school in the United Sates for at least 3 years as seen on the provided official high-school transcripts and on track to graduate/or graduated from a United States high school (upon completion of high school, a completed, official transcript must be provided)
• If a student is an incoming transfer student, they must prove attendance from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning (after graduating from a high school in the United States and providing a completed, official transcripts)
• Willing to provide any current or past DACA paperwork, if possible

Merit and Institutional Scholarships Policy:

An undocumented and/or DACA-mented student, as a non-citizen, long-term U.S. resident, admitted to CMU is eligible for institutional merit-based and special talent scholarships like any other domestic student. All the following criteria must be met:

• If a student is an incoming freshman, they must meet the merit scholarship’s established criteria
• If a student is an incoming transfer student, they must provide attendance from a regionally accredited institute of higher learning (after graduating from a high school in the United States) and meet the transfer scholarship criteria
• If a student is an incoming graduate student, they must meet the established criteria for any awards
• Student must be degree-seeking and enrolled at CMU full-time

PROCEDURE

Undocumented and/or DACA-mented students, as non-citizen long-term U.S. residents, will submit their application for admissions to Central Michigan University’s appropriate admissions office.

Central Michigan University reserves the right to make exceptions to, modify or eliminate this policy and or its content. This document supersedes all previous policies, procedures or guidelines relative to this subject.