How should undocumented student complete the CSS Profile? Undocumented families are unable to show the tax returns because…well simply because they are undocumented…how should they go about that?
I don’t know how you must fill Css profile, but undocumented people normally pay taxes.
i wouldn’t necessarily say that undocumented people “normally” pay taxes. some do. and some file using other people’s numbers.
But not necessarly most file taxes. Many work “under the table” for cash, and never file taxes.
since this student is asking, it sounds like his parents have not been filing taxes.
@RecursionRecursion Your parents have an income, correct? they will have to report that income on CSS Profile. how do they normally get paid or receive their income?
My parents do not pay taxed because their income is “under the table”, my dad geta paid in cash directly and my mother does not work. Mu father works at a local store and my mother is a housewife. So he gets paid ~2,300 USD a month.
@thumper1 @kelsmom @BelknapPoint
Undocumented applicant (op do u have DACA status?), with undocumented parents who have not paid income taxes.
OP, What schools are on your list?
@Mwfan1921 My school selection is quite complicated. There aren’t too many in my state that allow undocumented students and some even charge out of state fees (with minimal aid). I can’t really go out of state looking at my family’s financial status.
I am from Massachusetts. I contacted few colleges most of them here weren’t so helpful. So far only MIT is within the “legal and financial reach”. I spoke with their team member they are super nice in terms of providing aid to undocumented student. Though that is a stretch on my academic profile. UMASS Dartmouth and UMASS Lowell has some potential aid for undocumented students as well. So yep so far I have MIT, UMASS Dartmouth/Lowell as my main goals.
Also no, I do not have DACA status. I was not in America when it was signed. I came here in the end of Obama’s last year and no one told me of it. I didn’t even know what it was until President Trump cancelled it.
If your parents earn money here, they must put that income on the financial aid application forms. That they don’t file taxes because they are paid under the table is another issue…and it might need to be resolved.
Income is income is income.
have you talked to your parents about this situation?
we’ve seen situations like this before. in those situations, the parents often won’t “correct” the situation by filing back taxes because it would obligate them to pay taxes on previous years’ income. I don’t know if filing taxes would then expect them to pay FICA as well?
what are your parents saying about filing taxes so that you have something to report?
Can you go to college in your home country?
you’re in a pickle. your own ability to work and maybe start at a CC are limited as your own undocumented status makes it difficult for you to get a job?
you haven’t been here that long, so if you could go to college in your home country, that may work out best for you.
I know I’m going to get hammered for asking this, but here goes nothing…
- You're here illegally, your parents are here illegally
- Your parent's total income is 27K a year
- They do not pay taxes
- No DACA status
Red Tape & CSS aside, how on earth is MIT within “legal and financial reach”?
@RecursionRecursion, in which US State to you live and/or plan to attend college? This will have noticeable implications on your situation:
Nineteen states have provisions allowing for in-state tuition rates for undocumented students. Seventeen states—Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington—extend in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through state legislation. Two states—Oklahoma and Rhode Island—allow in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through Board of Regents decisions. In 2013, the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents and the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents adopted similar policies for undocumented students to access in-state tuition at those institutions. At least seven states—California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington—currently allow undocumented students to receive state financial aid. No CSS Pofile will be required for most of those Public Universities and these therefore might be your best bet, given your specific circumstances.
Three states—Arizona, Georgia and Indiana—specifically prohibit in-state tuition rates for undocumented students, and two states—Alabama and South Carolina— prohibit undocumented students from enrolling at any public postsecondary institution.
For instutional aid from private Universities/Collleges policies differ and you will need to check applicable individual policies, as DACA status will be required by some (yet not all). If they do accept CSS Profile from undocumented students, they will want to see financial information/confirmation, i.e. tax returns of your parents.
Best of luck and success!
The student lives in Massachusetts
@BivalentChomps when I emailed several universities in MA they were the only once who replied saying that I can enroll and earn demonstrated need financial aid.
Yes I live in Massachusetts.
@mom2collegekids yes I am considering a start with CC first but I just wanted to rather get a 4 year college as it may open more doors for opportunities and networking for future help
My parents have thought about sending me to to Canada through a Student Visa if possible. The thing with that is that I graduate from an American high school undocumented but I am an Indian citizen. I cant apply for student visa here that may result in 10 years ban.
It is going to be very difficult to go to a 4 year school in Mass without documentation. Most schools have some costs that their students meet with student loans or federal/state grants and you won’t get those. You also will not be able to work legally as you don’t have a SSN.
You should consider going to school in India. I don’t think Canada is a better option.
@RecursionRecursion Undocumented students in the US are not undocumented in Canada. Students would apply as international applicants and would need a passport from their home country, India in your case, and a student visa (if accepted by a Canadian university) - Non-Canadian applicants apply as international students, stating their country of citizenship. If students are in the US and are undocumented, that does not affect the application process.
If you were to pursue this route and your parents were able to handle financial aspects (International students are eligible for merit based scholarships in Canada. There are also scholarships available for international students through Foreign Affairs Canada at www.scholarships.gc.ca - need based financial aid is not available), your issue would be your future legal return into the US. Legal immigration in Canada after your studies might be an option, however.
@RecursionRecursion PS: Also, if you have good grades and test scores I would suggest to seriously consider the University of Notre Dame as one of your target schools:
https://studentenrichment.nd.edu/resources/undocumented-and-daca-students/financial-support/
If admitted the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid will work with you and see whether the concern expressed in your initial posting can be addressed.
? how would you show “demonstrated need” when your parents aren’t filing taxes?
how much can your parents contribute each year towards college?
Going by what the OP said, father is the only one working and earning 27K-28K per year "under the table. Even if a family is living w/o a mortgage or rent payment & free healthcare, between utilities, food and transportation I can’t imagine they could contribute much of anything (?)