Student Loans for DACA Recipients

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program that offers some legal protections and opportunities to undocumented residents who were brought to the U.S. as children.

While DACA recipients can go to college in the U.S., they’re generally ineligible for federal student loans. However, if you’re a DACA student, you have other options for student aid and DACA student loans.

How undocumented students can apply for college

DACA recipients can attend many colleges in the United States. As of August 2020, the following allow undocumented immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition:

19 states
Washington D.C.
7 university systems

Only Alabama and South Carolina forbid undocumented students from attending public colleges.

Before you start filling out college applications, it’s a good idea to reach out to the schools you’re considering to see if there are any special rules for applying as an undocumented student.

Some schools might treat DACA applicants like any other in-state student, while others will treat them like international students, which could impact your financial aid options.

Is there help for “Dreamers” to attend college? DACA recipients are also known as Dreamers, after the failed Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.

There are several nonprofit organizations that work to help Dreamers go to college, which include:

Recent DACA legal updates

January 21, 2021: The Biden administration issued a memorandum directing the Department of Homeland Security to “take all appropriate action to preserve and fortify DACA, consistent with applicable law.” This memorandum was in response to a court ruling in Texas that allowed DHS to terminate an individual’s DACA status without notice.
November 29, 2021: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit repealed a 2018 decision by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions that restricted immigration judges’ ability to terminate removal proceedings for DACA recipients.

Learn More: How to Apply for Federal and Private Student Loans

Federal student loans and aid for DACA students

To qualify for federal student loans, you must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or a member of a small list of other eligible noncitizen groups. This means federal student loans aren’t an option for DACA recipients. But you might still qualify for other types of student loans.

Be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office to see if there are any programs available to help you pay for school. Although DACA recipients don’t qualify for federal student loans, your school might ask you to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for aid from the school or even from the state.Private student loans for DACA students

After you’ve looked into financial aid options from your school and state, private student loans could help to fill any other gaps.

Depending on the lender, you might be able to apply either as a DACA recipient or as an international student.

Keep in mind: Dreamers will typically need to have a cosigner with good credit who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

You might also have to provide special documentation, such as paperwork from ICE.

If you’re looking to take out a private college loan, be sure to shop around and consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for your situation.

Lender

Fixed (APR)

Loan Amounts

Min. Credit Score

4.9

Credible rating

3.47% - 17.99%

$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

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Overview

College Ave offers student loans for almost every type of degree program, with a range of repayment options, including a unique eight-year repayment term. Additionally, you can get extended grace periods of as long as 36 months on graduate, dental, and medical student loans.

It's also possible to get loan approval for multiple school years at one time. About 90% of undergraduates applying with a cosigner are approved for additional student loans. However, you must complete at least half of your repayment term before you can remove a cosigner for your loan. Some lenders allow cosigners to be released much sooner, after as few as one to two years of payments.

pros

Rate discount of one-quarter of a percentage point for using autopay
Does not charge origination or application fees
May qualify for multiyear approval
Grace periods between 9 and 36 months for graduate, MBA, law, dental, and medical school loans and 36 months

cons

Parents borrowers are required to pay at least the interest while the student is in school
Cosigners not eligible for release until at least half the repayment term of the loan is completed

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 8, 10, or 15 years for most borrowers (law, dental, medical, and other health profession students have up to 20 years)

Loan amounts

$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits depend on your degree and credit profile

Cosigner release

Available after more than half of the scheduled repayment period has elapsed and other requirements are met

Eligibility

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. International students with a Social Security number and a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.

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4.3

Credible rating

3.49% - 15.49%

$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

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Overview

Sallie Mae offers the Smart Option Student Loan for undergraduate students and a suite of loans for graduate students. You can borrow up to your school-certified cost of attendance and apply just once annually to get the funds you need for the entire academic year. Plus, applying for a Smart Option Student Loan with a cosigner may help you get a better rate.

Through Sallie Mae, you can find a variety of loans designed for specific needs, including loans for MBA programs, law school, medical school, and health profession programs.

pros

Can borrow up to school-certified cost of attendance
No prepayment or origination fees
Loans available to noncitizens with an eligible cosigner
Cosigner release after 12 on-time payments

cons

No parent loan options
No option to check your rates through prequalification
Loan terms not disclosed until after you apply

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

10 to 15 years for the Smart Option Student Loan; 15 years for law school, MBA, and graduate school loans; 20 years for medical school loans

Loan amounts

$1,000 up to school-certified cost of attendance. Student must be listed as the borrower, and a parent may cosign.

Cosigner release

After you graduate, make 12 one-time principal and interest payments, and meet certain credit requirements

Eligibility

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program. Noncitizens residing and attending school in the U.S. may qualify by applying with a creditworthy cosigner, who must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and providing an unexpired government-issued photo ID.

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4.8

Credible rating

3.69% - 14.22%

$1,000 up to cost of attendance

680

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

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Overview

ELFI a division of Tennessee-based SouthEast Bank, offers private student loans and refinancing for undergraduates, graduates, and parents. Borrowers can take out loans starting at $1,000, with options up to the full cost of attendance at their school.

ELFI student loans are available to students nationwide who are enrolled in a bachelor's degree program or higher. Borrowers can choose from multiple repayment terms and benefit from competitive interest rates and support from a dedicated Student Loan Advisor. However, ELFI doesn't offer cosigner release or rate discounts, which may limit flexibility for some borrowers.

pros

Receive support from a dedicated Student Loan Advisor
Transparent credit and income requirements
Flexible repayment terms

cons

Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or higher
Cosigners can’t be released from the loan
No autopay rate discounts available

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

680

Minimum income

$35,000

Loan terms

5, 7, 10, or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,000 - Cost of attendance

Cosigner release

A cosigner may not be taken off a loan, but the borrower can apply for a new loan without their cosigner.

Eligibility

All 50 states as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

Read full review

4.8

Credible rating

3.69% - 15.28%

$2,001 to $400,000

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

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Overview

While Ascent provides traditional student loans for undergraduate, graduate, and medical programs, it also stands out with some options that are uncommon among private student loan lenders. For example, its Outcomes-Based Loan, which doesn't require established credit or a cosigner, is available to juniors and seniors. When assessing your application, Ascent considers factors including your school, major, and GPA to determine if you're eligible.

Ascent also offers its Progressive Repayment plan to qualified borrowers. It allows you to begin with smaller payments at the start of the repayment term and then gradually pay more each month over time. If you borrow with a cosigner, they can be released after you make as few as 12 monthly payments. However, cosigners for loans for international students do not qualify.

pros

Doesn’t charge application fees or origination fees
Offers discounts of 0.25 to 1 percentage points when using automatic payment
Can get a 1% cash-back reward after you graduate
Grace periods from 9 months to 36 months

cons

May find lower interest rates with some competitors
International students don’t have option to release cosigners

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 years

Loan amounts

$2,001 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits of $200,000 for undergrads and $400,000 for graduates

Cosigner release

12 months

Eligibility

Must be a U.S. citizen or DACA student enrolled at least half time at an eligible institution. International students with a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.

Read full review

4.8

Credible rating

3.99% - 15.61%

$1,000 to $350,000 (depending on degree)

720

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

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Overview

Citizens Bank offers private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as parents. With its multiyear approval option, you can apply for a loan once, and as long as you qualify, you won't need to reapply each year. This means you can secure loans for future academic years without multiple hard credit checks.

Citizens borrowers can also take advantage of interest rate discounts. If you or your cosigner has an account with Citizens Bank, you can reduce your rate by 0.25 percentage points. Another 0.25 percentage points can be shaved off by enrolling in automatic payments, giving you the chance to lower your rate by up to 0.5 percentage points.

pros

Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
International students can apply with a qualified cosigner

cons

Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
Long wait time for cosigner release
Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 10, or 15 years for student loans; 5 or 10 years for parent loans

Loan amounts

$1,000 minimum, up to a maximum of $225,000 for undergraduate and graduate degrees; $300,000 for MBA and law; and $225,000 or $400,000 for health care student loans, depending on the degree type

Cosigner release

36 months

Eligibility

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an eligible institution. International students can apply with a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Read full review

4.4

Credible rating

4.24% - 14.02%

$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
International students can apply with a qualified cosigner
Offers parent student loans

cons

Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
Long wait time for cosigner release
Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

7, 10, or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $99,999 per year (lifetime limit of $180,000)

Cosigner release

36 months

Eligibility

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. You must also meet Custom Choice’s underwriting criteria for income and credit, or apply with a cosigner who does. Eligible noncitizens such as DACA residents can also qualify by applying with a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Read full review

4.6

Credible rating

4.80% - 8.54%

$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance

670

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

INvested is an Indiana company that offers affordable student loans exclusively to state residents. Loans are available to Indiana students and parents who can meet income and credit requirements, or who have an eligible cosigner. Borrowers can borrow as little as $1,001 or as much as the school-certified cost of attendance minus other aid.

INvested provides detailed information on eligibility so borrowers can quickly determine whether to apply for a loan — however, there’s no option to prequalify with a soft credit check. Cosigner release is also available after just 12 on-time payments, considerably shorter than many other lenders.

pros

Low minimum borrowing limits
Autopay discount of 0.25 percentage points
Short cosigner release requirements
Transparent qualification requirements

cons

Loans are available only to Indiana residents
No prequalification option to view your rates
No loan options for international students

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

670

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 10, or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,001 minimum, up to the school certified cost of attendance

Cosigner release

12 months

Eligibility

Loans are available to Indiana residents only. Borrowers must have a FICO score of 670 or higher, a 30% maximum debt-to-income ratio or minimum monthly income of $3,333, continuous employment over two years, and no major collections or defaults in recent years. Borrowers who do not meet income or credit requirements can apply with a cosigner.

Read full review

3.1

Credible rating

5.75% - 8.95%

$1,500 up to school’s certified cost of attendance less aid

670

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) offers student loans to borrowers with good credit. However, you won't be able to see your potential rate before applying.

The lender doesn't charge any fees and its rates are competitive, though MEFA only offers two repayment terms. You can add a cosigner to your loan if you're unable to qualify, but only one repayment plan allows you to release your cosigner.

pros

Doesn’t charge any fees
Low maximum rate compared with some lenders
Can borrow up to the school-certified cost of attendance

cons

No discounts for borrowers
Limited repayment terms
No prequalification available

Interest rates

Fixed

Minimum credit score

670

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

10 or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,500 minimum up to school-certified cost of attendance

Cosigner release

48 months

Eligibility

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled at least half time at a degree-granting, nonprofit institution, and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Must have no history of default on an education loan and no history of bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past 60 months. Applicants who can’t meet the minimum credit and income requirements may apply with a cosigner.

Read full review

4.94.9

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

3.47% - 17.99%

Loan Amounts

$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Rate discount of one-quarter of a percentage point for using autopay
Does not charge origination or application fees
May qualify for multiyear approval
Grace periods between 9 and 36 months for graduate, MBA, law, dental, and medical school loans and 36 months

cons

Parents borrowers are required to pay at least the interest while the student is in school
Cosigners not eligible for release until at least half the repayment term of the loan is completed

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 8, 10, or 15 years for most borrowers (law, dental, medical, and other health profession students have up to 20 years)

Loan amounts

$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits depend on your degree and credit profile

Cosigner release

Available after more than half of the scheduled repayment period has elapsed and other requirements are met

Eligibility

Read full review

4.34.3

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

3.49% - 15.49%

Loan Amounts

$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Can borrow up to school-certified cost of attendance
No prepayment or origination fees
Loans available to noncitizens with an eligible cosigner
Cosigner release after 12 on-time payments

cons

No parent loan options
No option to check your rates through prequalification
Loan terms not disclosed until after you apply

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

10 to 15 years for the Smart Option Student Loan; 15 years for law school, MBA, and graduate school loans; 20 years for medical school loans

Loan amounts

$1,000 up to school-certified cost of attendance. Student must be listed as the borrower, and a parent may cosign.

Cosigner release

After you graduate, make 12 one-time principal and interest payments, and meet certain credit requirements

Eligibility

Read full review

4.84.8

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

3.69% - 14.22%

Loan Amounts

$1,000 up to cost of attendance

Min. Credit Score

680

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Receive support from a dedicated Student Loan Advisor
Transparent credit and income requirements
Flexible repayment terms

cons

Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or higher
Cosigners can’t be released from the loan
No autopay rate discounts available

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

680

Minimum income

$35,000

Loan terms

5, 7, 10, or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,000 - Cost of attendance

Cosigner release

A cosigner may not be taken off a loan, but the borrower can apply for a new loan without their cosigner.

Eligibility

All 50 states as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

Read full review

4.84.8

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

3.69% - 15.28%

Loan Amounts

$2,001 to $400,000

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Doesn’t charge application fees or origination fees
Offers discounts of 0.25 to 1 percentage points when using automatic payment
Can get a 1% cash-back reward after you graduate
Grace periods from 9 months to 36 months

cons

May find lower interest rates with some competitors
International students don’t have option to release cosigners

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 years

Loan amounts

$2,001 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits of $200,000 for undergrads and $400,000 for graduates

Cosigner release

12 months

Eligibility

Read full review

4.84.8

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

3.99% - 15.61%

Loan Amounts

$1,000 to $350,000 (depending on degree)

Min. Credit Score

720

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
International students can apply with a qualified cosigner

cons

Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
Long wait time for cosigner release
Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 10, or 15 years for student loans; 5 or 10 years for parent loans

Loan amounts

$1,000 minimum, up to a maximum of $225,000 for undergraduate and graduate degrees; $300,000 for MBA and law; and $225,000 or $400,000 for health care student loans, depending on the degree type

Cosigner release

36 months

Eligibility

Read full review

4.44.4

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

4.24% - 14.02%

Loan Amounts

$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
International students can apply with a qualified cosigner
Offers parent student loans

cons

Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
Long wait time for cosigner release
Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

Does not disclose

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

7, 10, or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $99,999 per year (lifetime limit of $180,000)

Cosigner release

36 months

Eligibility

Read full review

4.64.6

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

4.80% - 8.54%

Loan Amounts

$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance

Min. Credit Score

670

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

pros

Low minimum borrowing limits
Autopay discount of 0.25 percentage points
Short cosigner release requirements
Transparent qualification requirements

cons

Loans are available only to Indiana residents
No prequalification option to view your rates
No loan options for international students

Interest rates

Fixed or variable

Minimum credit score

670

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

5, 10, or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,001 minimum, up to the school certified cost of attendance

Cosigner release

12 months

Eligibility

Read full review

3.13.1

Credible rating

Fixed (APR)

5.75% - 8.95%

Loan Amounts

$1,500 up to school’s certified cost of attendance less aid

Min. Credit Score

670

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

View Details

Overview

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) offers student loans to borrowers with good credit. However, you won't be able to see your potential rate before applying.

pros

Doesn’t charge any fees
Low maximum rate compared with some lenders
Can borrow up to the school-certified cost of attendance

cons

No discounts for borrowers
Limited repayment terms
No prequalification available

Interest rates

Fixed

Minimum credit score

670

Minimum income

Does not disclose

Loan terms

10 or 15 years

Loan amounts

$1,500 minimum up to school-certified cost of attendance

Cosigner release

48 months

Eligibility

Read full review

All APRs reflect autopay and loyalty discounts where available | LightStream disclosure | SoFi Disclosures | Read more about Rates and Terms

Financial aid for Dreamers

College scholarships and grants could be another way to pay for college. Unlike student loans, neither of these have to be paid back — essentially making them “free money” to put toward your education.

Private scholarships for DACA students
State financial assistance for DACA students
Financial assistance from colleges

Private scholarships for DACA students

Many private scholarships are available to any applicant in the United States, including DACA recipients.

There are also scholarship programs designed exclusively for DACA students. These include scholarships from:

TheDream.US
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Questbridge
The Ascend Educational Fund (New York City area only)
California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation (California residents only)
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Golden Door Scholars

State financial assistance for DACA students

In some states, DACA students can participate in state financial aid programs. There are also several states that offer a special DACA financial assistance program.

And if you don’t qualify for financial aid, you might still be able to get in-state tuition.

States that allow DACA recipients to participate in the state financial aid program include:

California
Colorado
Minnesota
New Mexico
Oregon
Texas
Washington

States with financial aid programs specific to DACA students include:

California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Maryland
Minnesota
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Texas
Washington

These states offer in-state tuition to DACA students:

California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Illinois
Kansas
Maryland
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Washington, D.C.

University systems that offer in-state tuition to DACA students, include:

University of Hawaii Board of Regents
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
University of Maine Board of Trustees
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Ohio Board of Regents
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Rhode Island’s Board of Governors for Higher Education

Learn More: Student Loan Requirements

Financial assistance from colleges

Many schools offer institutional aid, such as scholarships, grants, or other programs. Some are also able to waive your application fees, depending on your financial circumstances. Be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office to see what resources might be available for you.

If you decide to take out a private student loan, be sure to compare your rates from as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for your needs. You can do this easily with Credible — after filling out a two-minute form, you can see your rates from multiple lenders.

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