Undocumented Applicants
You can apply to Illinois no matter your citizenship or residency status.
Citizenship & Residency
Your legal status does not affect your admission decision.
Tuition is different for in‑state and out‑of‑state students. Some non‑citizens, including undocumented students, may qualify for in‑state tuition. Undocumented students are not eligible for our Illinois Commitment tuition program.
In-State Tuition LawHow to Apply for Undergraduate Admission
Your answers on the application help us determine your residency for tuition.
Personal Information
You’ll be asked to provide a Social Security Number.
- You may leave this field blank.
- If you have a DACA‑assigned Social Security Work Number, you may enter it.
Students who apply for federal financial aid must provide a Social Security Number. Undocumented students in Illinois are not encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, if you’re an Illinois resident, you may submit the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid instead.
Residency Questions in the Common App
First-Year students apply through Common App.
Under the Questions tab, select your citizenship/residency status.
You may choose:
- Undocumented
- DACA
- Deferred Enforced Departure
- Temporary Protected Status
Affidavit Questions
You’ll also complete five residency questions based on your high school attendance and Illinois residency. Answer these using the same guidance as if applying through myIllini (see below).
Residency Questions in myIllini
Transfer students apply through myIllini.
In the Contact Information section, answer the citizenship/residency items as follows:
Are you a U.S. citizen? Answer: No
Do you currently have or plan to have a valid passport from another country prior to enrollment and will you be in need of a student visa? Answer: No
Select the statement that applies to you: Answer: I have never applied for a permanent resident card (Green Card), nor possess one.
What best describes your current status? Answer: Other and my family residence is in the United States
Affidavit Questions
Do you reside with your parents while attending a public or private high school in Illinois? Answer: Yes
Did you or will you graduate from a public or private high school in Illinois? Answer: Yes
Did you or will you attend school in Illinois for at least 3 years as of the date you graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma? Answer: Yes
If you’re not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, will you provide the University of Illinois with an affidavit stating that you will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at your earliest opportunity? Answer: Yes
Submitting an Affidavit
After you apply, the university will review your eligibility for in‑state tuition. You may be asked to submit a signed affidavit.
Financial Aid
Undocumented and DACA students are not eligible for federal or state aid through the the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If you are an Illinois resident, you may qualify for state aid through the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. You may also be eligible for university or private scholarships.
Learn more about your eligibility:
Federal Student Aid Illinois Student Assistance
Additional Resources
Hope Scholarship – Scholarship opportunity for undocumented students
College Greenlight – College and scholarship search for first‑generation students
FinAid – Financial aid resources for undocumented students
IACAC – College planning help from Illinois counselors
Immigrants Rising – Scholarships and tools for undocumented students
NACAC – National college planning resources
Open Illinois – Support and guidance for undocumented students, DACA students, and those impacted by immigration reform
Scholarships.com – Search for national and local scholarships
United We Dream – Information and community support for undocumented youth
Key Terms
Acevedo Bill
The informal name for Illinois General Assembly Public Act 093-07 and 110 ILCS 305/7e-5, which is the law that allows for in-state tuition for certain students who aren’t U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, or don’t possess a green card, visa, or other legal documentation, provided specific criteria are met. See our residency status requirements for more information.
Affidavit
Students who meet the criteria for in-state tuition under the Acevedo Bill (110 ILCS 305/7e-5) must, if prompted by the university, sign and submit the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Residency Affidavit document in order to be eligible to receive in-state tuition at Illinois. The affidavit requires students to answer a series of questions and commit to filing an application to become a permanent resident of the U.S. at their earliest opportunity. Completed forms should be submitted to our office prior to enrollment or to the Office of the Registrar after enrollment.
DACA or DACAmented
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an American immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country before their 16th birthday and before June 2007 to receive a renewable 2-year work permit and exemption from deportation. DACA students aren’t eligible for federal or state financial aid.
Financial Aid
Commonly refers to the financial assistance that’s available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid and the state of Illinois’s Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study, and loans. The Financial Aid program at Illinois is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
International
The university considers any student who currently holds a visa of any type or is seeking a visa to be international. Even if you don’t require a student visa (F or J) to attend Illinois, you’re viewed as an international applicant. Most policies that apply to those seeking student visas will apply to holders of other types of visas. Visit the international requirements page for additional information about admissions policies for international students and International Student and Scholar Services for information on being an international student at Illinois.
Residency Status
Refers to in-state, out-of-state, or international residency for purposes of tuition assessment. Residents of the state of Illinois are assessed in-state tuition. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and holders of certain types of visas may establish Illinois residency and qualify for in-state tuition provided certain conditions are met. The Illinois law described above as the Acevedo Bill allows for some students, including non-citizens, to qualify for in-state tuition provided specific criteria are met.
RISE Act
Under the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act, a student who resides in the state of Illinois and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid is eligible for state financial aid and benefits, including programs administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and assistance provided by public institutions. The advocates and sponsors were focused specifically on providing access for non-citizen students who have not yet obtained lawful permanent residence and transgender students who are disqualified for failure to register for selective service.
Undocumented
Refers to students who aren’t U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., who don’t hold a visa to reside in the U.S., and who haven’t applied for legal residency in the U.S. or aren’t eligible to do so. In many (but not all) cases, the term “non-resident” also includes undocumented students. Undocumented students are eligible to apply for and be admitted to Illinois.