What the FAFSA means by "may be able to access non-citizen"

An may be able to access non-citizen for FAFSA purposes is someone who is not a U.S. citizen but holds one of a specific set of immigration statuses that the federal government recognizes for student aid. The FAFSA does not open to all non-citizens — only those in certain categories can fill out the form and receive federal student aid.

The categories are narrow and defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you are not a citizen, you need to know your exact immigration status before you start the FAFSA, because the form will ask for it directly and will reject answers that do not match the approved list.

Key Takeaways

  • may be able to access non-citizens include permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and holders of certain visa types like F-1 or J-1.
  • Undocumented immigrants and those on temporary visas like tourist or student visas without a pathway to permanent status cannot complete the FAFSA.
  • You will need your USCIS document number or alien registration number to fill out the FAFSA, so have your immigration paperwork ready before you start.
  • Some states offer financial aid to non-citizens the federal government does not recognize, so check your state's rules even if you cannot complete the FAFSA.

Immigration statuses that make you may be able to access

A permanent resident (green card holder) is always may be able to access. You will enter your alien registration number (A-number) on the FAFSA, which appears on your green card.

Refugees and asylees are may be able to access. If you were granted refugee status or asylum by USCIS, you can complete the FAFSA using your alien registration number.

Victims of human trafficking who hold a T visa, and certain other visa holders, are also on the may be able to access list. This includes people with U visas (granted to victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement) and holders of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).

Some F-1 and J-1 visa holders — typically those who are dependents of visa holders rather than the visa holders themselves — may be may be able to access, though the rules are complex and depend on your specific situation. Check with your school's international student office if you hold one of these visas.

Who cannot complete the FAFSA

Undocumented immigrants cannot complete the federal FAFSA, regardless of how long they have lived in the United States or whether they were brought here as children. The form requires an alien registration number, which undocumented people do not have.

People on temporary visas — such as tourist visas (B-1/B-2), standard student visas (F-1 or J-1 if you are the visa holder yourself), or work visas — are not may be able to access for federal aid through the FAFSA unless they fall into one of the specific categories listed above.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are not may be able to access for federal FAFSA aid, though many states have created their own aid programs for DACA students. If you have DACA status, research your state's financial aid options separately.

How to prove your status on the FAFSA

The FAFSA will ask you to select your immigration status from a dropdown menu. The options are: permanent resident, refugee, asylee, Cuban/Haitian entrant, victim of human trafficking, T visa holder, U visa holder, or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status holder.

After you select your status, the form will ask for your alien registration number (A-number). This is an eight- or nine-digit number assigned by USCIS. You can find it on your green card, refugee travel document, asylum approval notice, or other USCIS paperwork. Have this document in front of you before you start the FAFSA.

If you cannot locate your A-number, contact USCIS or your immigration attorney before submitting the FAFSA. Entering an incorrect number will cause the form to be rejected or flagged for verification, which delays aid disbursement.

What happens after you submit the FAFSA as an may be able to access non-citizen

Once you submit the FAFSA with your may be able to access non-citizen status, the federal government will process your information and calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — now called the Student Aid Index (SAI). This number determines how much federal aid you may receive.

Your school will then use this information to build a financial aid package. may be able to access non-citizens can receive federal Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study, just as citizens can. However, some schools have their own policies that limit aid to citizens, so check with the financial aid office at each school you are considering.

Some states and individual colleges offer additional aid specifically for non-citizens or for students in certain immigration categories. After you complete the FAFSA, research whether your state or school has separate aid programs you can also pursue.

State and school aid for non-citizens the federal government does not recognize

If you are undocumented or hold a status not recognized by the federal FAFSA, you still may have options. Several states — including California, New York, Illinois, and others — have created their own financial aid programs for undocumented students and DACA recipients.

These state programs typically require you to complete a state-specific form rather than the FAFSA. Some also require you to have attended high school in the state or to have lived there for a certain number of years. Contact your state's higher education agency or your school's financial aid office to learn what is available where you live.

Many colleges also offer institutional aid (money from the school itself) to non-citizens regardless of federal may be able to access. If you are not may be able to access for the FAFSA, reach out directly to the financial aid office at schools you want to attend and ask whether they offer aid to your immigration status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a permanent resident to get federal student aid?

No. Permanent residents are may be able to access, but so are refugees, asylees, T visa holders, U visa holders, and people with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Check the full list of may be able to access statuses on the FAFSA form itself to see if yours is included.

Can I complete the FAFSA if I have DACA?

No, DACA recipients are not may be able to access for federal FAFSA aid. However, many states have created separate financial aid programs for DACA students. Contact your state's higher education agency or your school's financial aid office to learn what programs may be available to you.

What if I do not know my alien registration number?

Your A-number appears on your green card, refugee travel document, asylum approval notice, or other USCIS documents. If you cannot find it, contact USCIS or speak with an immigration attorney before submitting the FAFSA. Entering an incorrect number will delay your aid.

Will schools give me aid even if I am not may be able to access for federal FAFSA aid?

Some schools do offer their own institutional aid to non-citizens, and some states have separate aid programs. Contact the financial aid office at each school you are considering and ask directly what aid is available to your immigration status.

Can my parents' immigration status affect my may be able to access?

Your own immigration status determines your FAFSA may be able to access, not your parents'. However, your parents' income and assets still count toward your Expected Family Contribution, so their financial situation affects how much aid you receive.