If You know anything about College for illegals, plz help me - Page 2

how about florida? anyone have an idea about how to get into college over here?

I know all the CUNY schools in New York accept illegals instate or out.Like others said you just wont pay instate tuition.But CUNY schools are not that expensive compare to private colleges.For instate tution it cost about 4,000 a year and probably around 8,000 for out of state,but probably less than that.Not all Cuny schools have dorms so make sure the one you choose does or you can always rent out a room in someones apartment.

I'm also from Florida....two quick questions though: Do you have any type of legal paperwork from INS? Like an I-485, even if it was denied? If so, then any school will accept you in-state. If not, try to talk to the highest administrator in the admissions office; if you have FINANCIAL PROOF of your Florida residency (i.e., IRS tax forms even if on a TIN) they'll decide whether to give you in-state or out-of-state tuition. It also helps if you have really good grades.


Also, have you applied for Bright Futures? I know you may think you cannot use it because that's what I thought too. HOWEVER, Bright Futures doesn't have a residency or citizenship requirement. Apply even though you don't have residency right now; they don't even ask for a social(Well, they do but they won't penalize you for not having one, you will still be considered for the scholarship as long as you can receive in-state tuition and, if you find someone that is sympathetic in the college offices like my brother found, you will be able to receive that assistance). And anyway, Bright Futures gives you two years to defer your aid. Meaning, if DREAM becomes a reality next year, you will be eligible for in-state tuition, therefore eligible for BF disbursement. You'll be sorry if you don't apply.

Hope this helps!!!!

CUNY accepts illegals as instate. Out-of-state/International students pay according to the amount of credits which is $360/cr ever since the tuition hike 3 years back. There is no max tuition cap. Which means if you take 18cr, you would be paying $12,960 a year of bare-bone tuition. That was one of the factors why I dumped my F1 status prior to my senior year.

ok... so... first of all, i don't have an I-485 or anything like that.. i came on tourist visa and it expired
another question, If i have a guardian who can claim me in the tax returns, does that constitute financial proof of florida residency? what if i'm not declared in tax returns(because i'm not right now lol ), but it can be shown that the legal guardian pays taxes (legally), does that work?

and last question, what university do you/your brother attend that allows you to pay in state/get bright futures? that is, if you don't mind saying.

thanks a lot

Well, I know that I was asked to supply tax forms (I was listed as a dependent) and for a bank letter stating that my dad had had an account with Bank of America for more than 12 months at his current address in FL. I don't know if they'll let you show that for in-state tuition though because on top of all that they asked for ENDLESS copies of my I-485 and my dad's work permit (long story as to why we're all still undocumented....we've been here 17 years and my dad STILL has just a work permit instead of PR...)....however, before we had the I-485, all they asked for with my brothers was their social security number (even if its ineligible for working purposes, like ours is) and tax forms and all that other good stuff.

Do you have a SS number (even if not for work purposes)? That's usually a good starting point to establish residency in FL. We also overstayed our tourist visa; my dad tried to fake his way through the '86 amnesty with the LULAC extension in the '90s; seeing as how he still only has a work permit you can see it didn't really go too well.

Other than that, all I can tell you is APPLY FOR BRIGHT FUTURES. I can't stress this enough. I've been repeating the same thing to this girl at COSA. If you are eligible (grades-wise) I really want you to take part in this. Just register as a non-citizen (there are three categories: citizen, non-citizen, and eligible non-citizen....just register as non-citzen. The app will still go through).

Take care bro! May 2007 be our year!!

Oh and by the way, my brothers attended Broward Community College and Florida International University. I should add however that we did obtain a work permit for about a year in 2003-2004 so that was the reason my middle brother obtained in-state tuition (he had been having some issues with in-state tuition because he didn't have a social security number, which I stated before is pretty big in getting in-state tuition) at FIU. However, my oldest brother received in-state throughout with just his social security number and my dad's taxes.


I really hope this helps!! =)

well..i tried applying for bright futures but you have to apply for FASFA.. which asks for social and all that kind of crap (i don't have social)...
did your brother get bright futures before 2002? that might be able to explain why he was able to get it

thanks for all the info btw...really appreciate it

You don't have to apply for Bright Futures through FAFSA....I didn't and I still received aid...Here's what I did:

Go to www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org
Under "New Visitors" go to initial student
Click on proceed to application
And then go on from there.


You don't NECESSARILY need a SS....its just easier for them to ID you. I just applied for it last year, so I doubt the rules changed. I'm actually on the site right now as we speak and everything is the same. Hopefully you can get the aid as well....its really helpful!!

Good luck!! And no problem, we're in this together, the least I can do is spread the info.

this bright future can i apply if i am i IL??
and i am a senior is this a problem?