In collaboration with the Office of Inclusive Learning & Engagement, the UndocuAlly Committee works to identify and/or create access opportunities and initiatives that lead to educational success for DACA and undocumented students.
Become a member of the UndocuAlly Committee by emailing CSN Diversity.
Committee Chairs
- Christina De La Torre, Chair 2023-2023
A Message on DACA
Support for Our DACA & Undocumented Community
As CSN President Dr. Zaragoza stated in April 2020 and in June 2020, CSN supports our undocumented and DACA community members. We want to reaffirm CSN’s strong support for our undocumented and immigrant community and to let you know that there are resources available to help you and your journey toward completion.
Immigration Status
To gain admissions to CSN, an applicant is not required to provide personal immigration status on the application, except in the case of students on an F-1 or F-2 visa. However, any individual who claims US Citizenship or being the recipient of a visa that permits federal financial aid eligibility or Nevada residency for tuition purposes may be required to show proof of such documentation by the institution. Not all visas allow students to attend college while in the United States and doing so without authorization could jeopardize the student’s ability to renew said visa or to change immigration status in the future. If you are seeking to request an F1 Student Visa to attend CSN, please contact the International Center for more information.
Optional Answers
While CSN’s admissions application asks for a Social Security Number or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) - providing either number is optional. There are several reason why CSN asks for this information:
- Like other institutions of higher education, CSN uses the social security number to generate the 1098 T Tax Form allowing eligible students to qualify for a tax credit when filing taxes. You may ask your tax preparer for more information. A non-resident alien student without a social security number may also use an ITIN to get a 1098 T tax form. Please click for instructions on how to apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
- CSN also uses the Social Security Number on the admission application to match up the student’s information to his/her Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) requesting federal aid to attend CSN.
- Finally, the college uses social security numbers to provide enrollment and graduation status information to the National Student Clearinghouse. Other educational institutions, employers, and third parties use the Clearinghouse to verify student enrollment and receipt of diploma.
| PROGRAM | ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS | HOW TO APPLY |
| CSN Emergency Fund | CSN students enrolled in at least three credits. Students can use funds for education-related expenses or a personal emergency. Learn more at www.csn.edu/csn-student-emergency-fund. | Complete the application and submit the necessary documentation. The form is available at https://at.csn.edu/documents/student-emergency-fund-application |
| CSN Alternative Scholarship | Graduating high school or current CSN students that are undocumented or have DACA status. Must show a financial need, enrolled in an eligible program, and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress. | Application is available at www.csn.edu/csn-alternative-scholarship |
| CSN President’s Scholarship | Eligible for all students who graduated from CSN High School with a weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher and are enrolled full-time (12+ credits). Learn more at www.csn.edu/csnpresidentsscholarship. | Self-Declare by submitting DACA documentation to the Financial Aid Office for the exception For undocumented students, must complete an acknowledgment form. |
| CSN Foundation Scholarships | Eligibility can vary due to the number of scholarships available. All students are encouraged to apply. | View the link to the application here www.csn.edu/scholarships. |
For additional assistance, please contact the CSN Financial Aid office.
General Inquiries: Contact Us
Scholarship Inquiries: Contact Us
Call Center: (702) 651-4303
Although DACA students are NOT eligible for federal aid, they can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to generate the Student Aid Report (SAR) which can help determine eligibility for state, institutional, or private aid (scholarships). The student will be required to enter the Social Security number on the FAFSA and answer the “Are you a U.S. citizen?” question with “No, I am not a citizen or eligible noncitizen.”
The FAFSA form does not ask for parent citizenship data but asks that the applicant provide parental social security information, in which case the student should enter 000-00-0000. A DACA student submitting a FAFSA must print, sign, and mail the FAFSA signature page to: Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 7006, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-0076. A DACA student who by mistake receives an offer for federal financial aid despite being ineligible must reject the aid. Intentional misrepresentation or acceptance of a miss-award may lead to criminal charges and severe consequences with immigration.
| Q. Can DACA students complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? | A. Yes, DACA students can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). |
| Q. Are DACA students eligible for federal financial aid funds? | A. No, currently DACA students are NOT eligible for federal financial aid funds. |
| Q. Why should DACA students complete a FAFSA if they are NOT eligible for federal financial aid funds? | A. After completing the FAFSA, students receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that can be used to receive both institutional and private scholarships. |
| Q. Can DACA students use the Student Aid Report (SAR) for scholarships at CSN? | A. Yes, DACA Students CAN Apply for CSN Scholarships using their SAR |
| Q. Does the FAFSA ask for parental citizenship status? | A. No, The FAFSA does not ask for parental citizenship information. If the students’ parents do not have a social security number, the student should enter 000-00-0000 as the parents’ social security number on the FAFSA. Additionally, students will have to print out and sign the FAFSA signature page and mail it in. |
| Q. Where should DACA students mail their signed FAFSA signature page? | A. Students should send their signature page to the following mailing address: Federal Student Aid Programs P.O. Box 7006 Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-0076 |
| Q. When DACA students complete their FAFSA and receive an offer for federal financial aid, can they accept it? | A. No, if DACA students receive an offer for federal aid despite being ineligible, they must reject the aid for which they know they are ineligible. |
| Q. What will happen if a DACA student accepts an offer that was improperly awarded? | A. If a DACA student intentionally misrepresents eligibility for federal aid in order to claim a benefit for which he/she is not eligible, the student could face criminal and immigration consequences. |
| PROGRAM | ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS | HOW TO APPLY |
| Silver State Opportunity Grant | DACA status required. Be enrolled in 12 or more credits and an eligible program. Nevada resident for tuition purposes and meet satisfactory academic progress. Learn more at www.csn.edu/silver-state-opportunity-grant | Complete the FAFSA at www.FAFSA.gov. Submit DACA documentation to the Financial Aid Office for the exception. |
| Millennium Scholarship | Undocumented students and those with DACA status can be eligible. Students that meet the academic and minimum credit requirements qualify for the scholarship. Learn more at www.csn.edu/millennium-scholarship. | Must submit an Acknowledgement of Award with the NV Treasures Office. |
| Nevada Promise | DACA and undocumented students may apply. Applicants must meet all the Promise Scholarship deadlines, including meeting with mentor, and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. Learn more at www.csn.edu/promise. | Undocumented and DACA students must complete and submit an attestation regarding immigration status to the Financial Aid Office. Must complete volunteer and mentor meeting requirements. |
Note: DACA students currently do not qualify for the federally funded GEAR-UP Scholarship
DREAMzone Training
The UndocuAlly Committee works with the Office of Inclusive Learning & Engagement to offer DREAMzone trainings every semester, which is a two-part ally certification workshop designed to establish a visible support network for DACA and undocumented students at CSN. Each training consists of a 90-minute session. Upon completion, attendees will receive a DREAMzone certificate from the CSN Office of Inclusive Learning & Engagement. Faculty and staff can sign up for these trainings through CAPE.
DREAMzone 101
Faculty and staff will have an opportunity to understand the history and implications of the DACA Program. Additionally, this training will explain the significance of the June 2020 U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the DACA Program. Dream Zone 101 will educate participants on the differences between being a DACA recipient and an undocumented individual.
DREAMzone 102
Participants will engage in simulation scenarios and group discussions to expand their skills for working with DACA and undocumented students. Participants will be able to adequately assist students and serve as allies. Generally speaking, the training will discuss and highlight the internal and external support networks for undocumented, DACA, and immigrant students.
For questions about DREAMzone, please contact Contact Us