Support at Von
Please tell a trusted adult if you are undocumented, so we can best help you plan for your future. For example, the counseling department can help you work with colleges and identify scholarships open to DREAMers.
College-Related Legal Information
TAX REPORTING: Paying income taxes is the law for anyone who earns wages in the United States, including undocumented immigrants. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues an individualized taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to individuals who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). Important Note: ITINs are used for tax purposes only and are not intended to serve any other purpose. Do not use it in place of a social security number on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
If you need assistance applying for an ITIN, please consider contacting these organizations.
Illinois Legal Aid
Ladder Up
ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FOR ILLINOIS FINANCIAL AID: The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a pathway for students who are disqualified from federal aid to apply for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. Von encourages students who are undocumented to apply for the MAP grant using the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
IN-STATE TUITION RATES FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS: To qualify for in-state tuition rates at public Illinois colleges or universities, undocumented student must meet the following requirements:
A note about confidentiality: Bound by FERPA regulations, college staff members take precautions to maintain confidentiality and ensure that records are not shared, nor reported. Data collected from you are for the use of college admission and/or financial aid professionals only.
DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA): Under a 2012 Executive Mandate, some individuals qualify for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Under DACA, children who came to the country under the age of 16 and meet other guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would then be eligible for work authorization. Deferred Action does not provide an individual with lawful status. Deferred Action is not a pathway to citizenship or permanent residency, nor does it allow the individual to seek federal college financial aid. For more information on DACA and updates on its status, please visit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Illinois Coalition on Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
If you need assistance applying for an ITIN, please consider contacting these organizations.
Illinois Legal Aid
Ladder Up
ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FOR ILLINOIS FINANCIAL AID: The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a pathway for students who are disqualified from federal aid to apply for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. Von encourages students who are undocumented to apply for the MAP grant using the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
IN-STATE TUITION RATES FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS: To qualify for in-state tuition rates at public Illinois colleges or universities, undocumented student must meet the following requirements:
- student has resided in Illinois with his/her parent or guardian while attending public or private high school;
- student has graduated from an Illinois public or private high school or received a GED from Illinois;
- student has attended an Illinois high school for at least three (3) years; and
- student provides the university with an affidavit stating he/she will file an application to become a permanent resident of the U.S. once he/she becomes eligible to do so
A note about confidentiality: Bound by FERPA regulations, college staff members take precautions to maintain confidentiality and ensure that records are not shared, nor reported. Data collected from you are for the use of college admission and/or financial aid professionals only.
DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA): Under a 2012 Executive Mandate, some individuals qualify for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Under DACA, children who came to the country under the age of 16 and meet other guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would then be eligible for work authorization. Deferred Action does not provide an individual with lawful status. Deferred Action is not a pathway to citizenship or permanent residency, nor does it allow the individual to seek federal college financial aid. For more information on DACA and updates on its status, please visit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Illinois Coalition on Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Legal & Community Support
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: www.icirr.org
Address: 55 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 2075, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Immigrant Youth Justice League: www.iyjl.org
Address: 4753 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 904, Chicago, Illinois 60640
National Immigrant Justice Center: www.immigrantjustice.org
Address: 208 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Address: 55 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 2075, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Immigrant Youth Justice League: www.iyjl.org
Address: 4753 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 904, Chicago, Illinois 60640
National Immigrant Justice Center: www.immigrantjustice.org
Address: 208 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60604
College Advising & Scholarship Resources
Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid: www.isac.org/students/before-college/financial-aid-planning/retention-of-illinois-rise-act.html
CPS Academic Works Scholarship Site: cps.academicworks.com
Hispanic Scholarship Fund: www.hsf.net
Illinois Association for College Admissions Counseling (IACAC): www.iacac.org/undocumented
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF): www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resources
My Undocumented Life: www.mydocumentedlife.org
TheDream.US Scholarships: www.thedream.us
CPS Academic Works Scholarship Site: cps.academicworks.com
Hispanic Scholarship Fund: www.hsf.net
Illinois Association for College Admissions Counseling (IACAC): www.iacac.org/undocumented
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF): www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resources
My Undocumented Life: www.mydocumentedlife.org
TheDream.US Scholarships: www.thedream.us