Resources for Undocumented Students

Students who are undocumented at Utah Valley University bring valuable perspectives and lived experiences to our campus.

At UVU, we recognize that there are barriers and challenges that may impact someone's academic, professional, and social experiences. As an institution committed to exceptional care, we seek to create space and opportunities for undocumented students to fully participate in the college experience.

We are committed to exceptional accountability for addressing the structures marginalizing these students from this institution.

You are a Wolverine. You are a Dreamer. You are an important part of the UVU community and you are not alone.

On this Page

Admissions

Utah Valley University is an open-admissions school and accepts all students regardless of residency or citizenship status.

Apply here

The admissions application will prompt you to complete a “Residency” section. The information provided will not be reported and will be used for residency and tuition purposes only.

Documents and Transcripts

  • Social Security Number: UVU asks for a Social Security number (SSN) on the admission application, but you do not need to provide one to complete the application.
  • Driver’s License: Driver’s licenses are used by the university to help determine residency for tuition purposes. On the State of Legal Residency section of the application, individuals with a Utah Driving Privilege card will select NO.
  • Official Transcripts: All high school, college, or university transcripts must arrive at UVU from the sending institution and must be issued within the last six months to be considered official. Learn  more at the Transfer Credit Department website.
  • ACT and SAT Scores: ACT or SAT test scores are not required for admission but may be a requirement for scholarship consideration. The ACT-R can be taken at Testing Services.

Paying for College

HB 144 Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request

Students not eligible for residency due to immigration status may qualify for an exemption from non-resident tuition under the HB 144 Waiver. To qualify, students must have attended a Utah high school for at least three years and have earned a Utah high school diploma or GED. Learn more on the Admissions website.

All students, regardless of residency status, pay Resident tuition and fees during summer semesters.

Scholarships

UVU and other organizations offer private scholarships that may be awarded to undocumented students.

ScholarshipUniverse is especially helpful because it narrows down what scholarships you qualify for. When you are providing your information, click “Yes” for being involved with the Latino Initiative, Cultural Envoy, or any other Multicultural Student Services initiative you are involved with.

There are many other departments across campus that offer scholarships to students who are involved in their programs:

Remember that scholarship funds are limited, so not every student who applies to an individual scholarship will receive assistance. We encourage you to work with a Writing Center tutor for help with personal statements, or you can meet with a Multicultural Student Services coordinator for extra coaching and assistance.

Advising

The coordinators with the Latino Initiative and Multicultural Student Services are available to assist with admissions and any other questions you may have. 

Multicultural Student Services Advisors

Advising is also available with several departments across campus to help you succeed.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any majors or degrees not available to undocumented students?

Students may choose whatever major or degree they wish to study. However, certain career choices may require licensures and certifications that have state or national residency requirements.

  • Some professions have additional licensing requirements at the state or national levels, such as teaching, nursing, mortuary science, surgical tech, and social work.
  • Majors that include a paid internship or field work (employment) as part of their curriculum typically require a Social Security number.
  • Volunteer positions and unpaid externships may be an option with a passport, visa,
    birth certificate, or other type of government identification that is acceptable to obtain
    a background check.

Can I work on campus?

Students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are eligible to work on campus. As laws and policies change, you may find yourself in a new immigration status or in the process of a new immigration status that may provide you work authorization.

If the DACA program is cancelled or revoked, will my status as an enrolled student protect me from deportation?

Enrolled student status does not necessarily provide protection from removal. However, a 2011 memo from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) designates college campuses as “sensitive locations.” This means that college campuses would not be the focus of law enforcement actions (i.e., arrests, searches, interviews, and surveillance) unless:

  • Exigent circumstances exist;
  • Other law enforcement actions have led officers to campus;
  • Prior approval is obtained.

What are my rights as an undocumented student? Are there legal resources
available for me?

There are a variety of legal resources for immigration issues. It’s common for legal service organizations to explore potential legal solutions free of charge.

  • Legislation Affecting Undocumented Students
  • Higher Education Act (1965): Determined that applicants for federal financial aid be legal U.S. residents.
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA (1974): A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record.
  • Plyer v Doe (1982): Supreme Court rules that states cannot constitutionally deny students a free, public K-12 education based on their immigration status.
  • Utah HB 144 (2002): One of the first states to pass legislation allowing qualified undocumented students to access a non-resident tuition waiver.
  • Utah SB 81 (2008): Prohibited undocumented students from accessing any private or public dollars administered through any Utah public college or university.
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA (2012): Renewable two-year deportation relief and employment authorization program for undocumented individuals who meet a series of extensive qualifying criteria.
  • Utah SB 253 (2015): Exempts Utah high school graduates from needing to provide proof of U.S. lawful presence when applying to privately funded scholarships administered through any Utah public college or university.
  • Local Legal Services

Resources for Students

Helpful Contacts

These are just a few of the faculty and staff members at UVU who are ready to support you during your time at UVU.

Resources for Staff

Undocumented Student Task Force

The Undocumented Student Task Force at UVU is dedicated to connecting students to the resources they need to apply, attend, and pay for college. Our committee of faculty, staff, and community members collaborates to create a welcoming, safe environment for undocumented students on campus.

The Undocumented Student Task Force seeks to:

  1. Facilitate better navigation of problematic institutional structures at the level of direct services to students
  2. Address institutional barriers to full participation of UVU’s curricular, co-curricular, extra-curricular, leadership, athletic, and other opportunities through  procedural solutions, policy modifications and consistent attention to remedies with each layer of structural inequity
  3. Harness the power, influence, and expertise of institutional policymakers and leaders to identify and partner with local, state, regional, and national stakeholders to address broader social structures that marginalize individuals who are undocumented.