Questions about college? Ask me!

Higher education is something that my family has always valued, so I'm really passionate about helping people get into/go to college.

If you have questions about navigating the admissions process, financial aid, etc for undergrad or grad school, then post your questions here and I will do my best to connect you with the right resources.


About me: I have my bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and was accepted to masters programs at Northwestern and the University of Chicago, but opted to forgo grad school in favor of pursuing a career.

wow your renewal was approved...congrats! I was wondering if anyone had received approval.

His is ICE DACA, it's different than ours.

Hers* I'm a girl!

So,how you get ICE- deferred action? or how does that work?

I got ICE-issued deferred action back in July 2012 because I was already in removal proceedings. Only ~250 people qualified for ICE-issued deferred action. Our renewal application was released in Feb 2014. To apply for a renewal, we basically submitted a DACA application (as though we were applying to DACA for the first time). So I had to collect copies of my report cards, diplomas, etc to show that I had been in the US continuously for five years, had graduated from an American high school, had a clean criminal history, etc.


Again, that option was only available to the ~250 of us who were already in removal proceedings. Everyone else had to apply for DACA starting in August 2012, and their renewal application was released in June 2014.

That's why you don't hear too much about ICE-issued deferred action recipients. If you know of any other—beyond me— please let me know! I want to know who they are. Thanks!

Reccomed types of scholarships available that aar a good success.
I live Texas and have found out about TASFA aid which helps a bit, but I would like to see what else
is out there thank YOU

Hi I'm Selene I have a question regarding financial aid... Its my first time applying and going back to college the application was processed but said on my college home screen to go to the campus and resve the issue, it says that homeland security has not verified your status that I'm an alien resided in the US not exactly what it says but something like that.. What does it mean if u might know

I'm here to help, as well.

I received over $20,000 in scholarships in one year, and more for this upcoming school year. I go to a state university. All of my tuition was payed for and I have a lump sum in the savings accounts for textbooks, necessities for college, etc. It was a great to not have to stress over finances.

If you are going to be high school senior this upcoming school year (2014-2015), search for any scholarships that fit your criteria. Those are usually national scholarships, which are competitive, but a friend I knew applied and received it. (It was those contests/scholarships.)

The scholarships you need to be looking for are your local area ones. If you have a good financial aid counselor, you will be aware of all deadlines. These are usually the ones where you have to write a short essay, have letters of recommendations (ask for your teachers early in the year, or else they get overwhelmed), and list of extracurricular activities you have to do.

There are literally tons of noncompetitive local scholarships for you.

*REMINDER: Save each essay that you write, because it may be the same prompt for other essays. You can tweak it around a little bit and it'll be a new essay. This is not considered plagiarism, for this was told to me by all the advisors and counselors.

Also, incoming freshman to college, complete your FAFSA! You have your information. You may not receive federal aid, but depending on your state, you will receive scholarships from the school. They will have your financial status on their records, and they will help you get the money you need to further your education. (This is only from my experience). One should have completed sooner, but it's better late than never.

Good luck to all of you guys, and make the best out of what you have.

Questions are welcomed.

The heck? I should complete the FAFSA anyway?

I was told to not even bother as nothing will happen.

Should i just apply to scholarships en masse?

Are there alot of scholarships without essay/recommendation requirements?

My yearly tuition will be around $5000 per year at community college, and around $8000 per year at a 4 year institution city college. Looking at around $25000 give or take for a 4 year run for me (2 years community college / 2 years city college), and technically I don't need all of that covered as I am saving and working out the finances in the coming years as I will be going full time student within 1 1/2 years from now, and if I can get half of that $25000 covered over 4 years, it would be awesome.