I’m from Massachusetts and currently a senior in high school doing some college search. I’m in a tough position, being undocumented I know I don’t get any federal aid and can’t apply for FAFSA, also my grades aren’t amazing, I have a 3.0/4 gpa and 1110 SAT. I’m trying to avoid community schools. Basically, I just wanted to know, preferably from students who have been in my position, what schools (who offer computer science) offer a lot of merit aid and support to international students (preferably in the New England area)? I’ve been accepted to Bridgewater State University (charged me out of state tuition and gave me $0) and University of Scranton (also gave me $0). My top choice is Fairfield, I’m 99.9% sure I won’t be able to afford it, but I’m still giving it a shot. Lastly, I’m hoping I can get a track & field scholarship, I’ve gotten interest from about 7 schools but they were small, some way too far away, and didn’t offer computer science.
@01chev You should have tried UMass Lowell. You qualify for instate tuition.
Google Jeff Levy College Consulting
When you find his website, under resources click on “FA - International Students”
This will give you a list of schools that fund internationals.
From there, you need to look for schools that are attainable with your GPA and test score and have your major.
@gearmom yep, will be applying there, thanks for the info though, didn’t know that!
Question why you want to avoid community colleges?
@AroundHere wow, that’s sweet, will definitely check it out, thank you!!
@01chev Double check but I’m pretty sure. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/us/illegal-immigrants-to-pay-in-state-tuition-at-mass-state-colleges.html?mtrref=www.bing.com&gwh=803B2AFD6BCAA3F2CB3AA35727635411&gwt=pay
@NASA2014 it’s more of a last option for me, I’d love to go somewhere and not deal with transfering and fitting in all over again.
@01chev All the UMass branches could be possible. Lowell is the best. Boston and Dartmouth after. Don’t think you will have a cheaper option. Especially for CS which is an impacted major, the state are higher than normal. Do you have a UMass branch that you could commute to?
Could definitely commute to UMass Boston and possibly UMass Lowell, the problem is that a friend of mine in the same position but with 3.5 gpa and 1200 SAT was accepted last week and got $0 from UMass Boston. I don’t know if it’s because they’re pretty much broke at the moment or what but I see it as a waste of time applying there right now.
@gearmom sorry completely forgot to tag
01chev You are at about 7k a year. You could earn 2-3k in the summers if you hustle. Maybe 1.5 k each semester. Are you a dreamer? Can you get any help.from your parents? Either that or take a gap year. Work all the hours in the day and try to save 16k. Then apply to UMass Boston commute and work summers. I don’t think you can get a scholarship with those stats unfortunately.
@gearmom I’m 99.9% sure I don’t qualify for state tuition in Massachusetts. Out of State for UMass Boston is a whopping 30 grand I believe 
@01chev You need to be 100%. I remember hearing this on the radio and when I googled saw several articles. Massachusetts is probably the most undocumented student friendly. Contact http://www.iiicenter.org They are Irish but very proud to help all immigrants and refugees.
@gearmom will definetely try that, thanks!!
“the problem is that a friend of mine in the same position but with 3.5 gpa and 1200 SAT was accepted last week and got $0 from UMass Boston. I don’t know if it’s because they’re pretty much broke at the moment or what”
You are wrong, your friend got $0 is because Umass Boston don’t have merit scholarships for international students, just to citizen, residents and who can show domicile in Massachusetts.
Umass Lowell have merit scholarships for international students.
You need contact admissions office and ask if you have any option to show domicile in Massachusetts and pay as resident.
Search in google MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION
RESIDENCY STATUS FOR TUITION CLASSIFICATION PURPOSES
Probably you have an option to demostrate domicile with your Massachusetts HS diploma.
Why aren’t you instate at Bridgewater?
@bjkmom 18 states allow undocumented students to to receive in state tuition, Massachusetts is surprisingly not one of them
@“International Dad” hmm, okay that’s makes sense then. Alright, I’ll try that thank you!