Can I apply for federal financial aid with a drivers license number if I don’t have a social security number since they both two forms of identification?
You are an undocumented student correct? If that is the case, you can not file FAFSA. At some schools, you can still apply for financial aid though (not by using FAFSA)…but you have to do the research to understand where.
Here is some info: https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/financial-aid-and-undocumented-students.pdf
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Many decades ago, some states used one’s social security number as the individual’s drivers license number. (Of course, this was pre-identity theft era.)
But I’m saying if I can use my drivers license number instead of a social security number will it be processed?
No, FAFSA will not be processed with a driver’s license.
You are not going to be able to hide from colleges that you are an undocumented student, and you do not qualify for federal financial aid. If somehow you were able to fool the FAFSA system, that would be considered fraud.
Additional thoughts? @thumper1 @kelsmom @belknappoint
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This might help explain your options: https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/financial-aid-and-undocumented-students.pdf
You need a FSA ID to file the FAFSA and you can’t get one without a SSN.
If a parent doesn’t have one to fill out the parent portion, the parent can enter 000-00-0000 but then the form has to be filed by mail. The student always has to have the FSA ID.
You can NOT use your drivers license number instead of your SS number on the FAFSA form.
You don’t have a green card or US citizenship, right? If that is the case, you are not eligible for U.S. federally funded need based aid.
What colleges are you applying to now?
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This is correct. FAFSA has numerous checks for eligibility, and your FAFSA will absolutely be flagged if you don’t pass all required checks.
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But one can always apply for the fafsa without a FSA I’d either online or on paper.
No, undocumented students can not apply for FAFSA using paper because they can not receive/do not qualify for federal financial aid.
ETA: some colleges that give undocumented students institutional FA May allow a paper FAFSA, but that would not go to the Federal Govt, it would just be for the school’s own use.
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DACA students do not qualify for federal aid (and they do have SSNs). They cannot get a FSA ID as their citizenship status will not match on the SSN. They can get state aid in some states (California is one)
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YOU, the student, MUST have the required status to complete the FAFSA. As an undocumented international student, you don’t have that status.
A paper FAFSA must be done if the student is eligible but the parents both are not citizens or permanent residents because they cannot electronically sign the form.
You cannot complete the FAFSA using your drivers license number.
I don’t think you can even start filling out a FAFSA form without the right numbers.
You can’t GET a FSA ID number.
You can’t apply for federal financial aid intended for domestic students. Even if you could file the FAFSA it doesn’t solve your VISA issues. If you’ve found colleges that will let undocumented students attend then you should ask them what kind of financial aid is available to you. Your high school guidance counselor might have some ideas too.
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This is directly from Federal Student Aid, an Office of the US Department of Education. It is the office that processes FAFSA forms. @Gumbymom posted the link already, should you want to read but here is what it says. 1. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal aid. 2. Most undocumented students aren’t eligible for a social security number and thus cannot complete the FAFSA. 3. Check with your guidance counselor about what types of financial aid you may be eligible for or if you are eligible for instate tuition.
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@Pandas452 do you have official DACA status?
An undocumented student, or even a documented one here under certain types of visas, has to be very careful about applying for aid as it can kill your chances of ever getting citizenship or other legal status. Just applying can be considered fraud as you have to sign that you are eligible.
There have been people who registered to vote without being eligible or who have voted not knowing they weren’t citizens. Once that line is crossed, you can never fix it.
I also want to add that I understand this information is not what you want to hear. It is obvious from your other posts that this process is disappointing and frustrating for you. Unfortunately, trying to find ways to circumvent the rules and regulations is not going to give you the results you need. Folks here have had good information: ask your high school guidance counselor for help with scholarship recommendations, look for state schools where you might be considered for instate tuition, look for schools that have more favorable policies in regards to undocumented students. Approaching the admissions issue the way that American citizens, true international applicants with visa options, and DACA recipients do is not the right process for you. The sooner that you can make peace with that, the sooner you can work to find an option that will be more successful for you.
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Can I still get the federal financial aid even though I’m not eligible for it?
No federal aid at all, you can only get institutional aid…and that’s only at some colleges. Other colleges, like we’ve talked about on your other threads, like some of the GEorgia publics can’t even enroll undocumented students.