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Support for Undocumented Students

We provide staff support for advocacy, resource referral, and social programming for Undocumented Students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients and Temporary Protective status recipients.

Our goal is to have students who are navigating the college experience with any of these identities to find community and spaces to feel supported throughout their college experience.  For questions about services or to seek assistance and referrals, we encourage students to schedule appointment.

News and Updates for Spring 2025

Federal Activity and Rutgers' Mission - January 24, 2025

Know Your Rights: Information Session - February 5, 2025, https://go.rutgers.edu/KYR2025Recording

Rutgers Global Alerts - Alerts | Rutgers

 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

NJ FINANCIAL AID FOR DREAMERS - Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA): The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows undocumented students in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid. For more information on eligibility and application process.

 

Scholarships

  • Dream.us: Rutgers partners with The Dream.US, a scholarship fund for DREAMers across the nation. This fund provides scholarships of up to $12,500 for Rutgers students. The scholarship helps cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation expenses for those who would otherwise be unable to attend college. To Apply, visit:  Dream.us
  • Scholarship & Fellowship Directory for Undocumented Students: The scholarships and fellowships compiled below are available to undocumented students across the U.S. at the undergraduate and graduate level.
  • The Hispanic Scholarship Foundation is awarding scholarships to high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate students, and community college transfers. Awards range from $500 to $5,000. This scholarship opportunity is open to undocumented students with DACA.
  • MALDEF’: civil rights organization that has supported the next generation of civil rights advocates for the Latino community. MALDEF currently offers a Scholarship Resource Guide for high school, college, and graduate students, plus a Law School Scholarship Program for law students.
  • Golden Door Scholars:  provides scholarships for DACA students and scholarships for undocumented students. High school seniors or recent graduates may qualify, but preference will be given to high school graduates from states that require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition.
Scarlet Guarantee and Garden State Guarantee Eligibility

Undocumented Students are eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee & Garden State Guarantee if you completed a HESAA Application and meet the criteria below.

The Scarlet Guarantee is for First Year students & Sophomores, while the Garden State Guarantee is for Juniors & Seniors. 

SCARLET GUARANTEE - HOW IT WORKS

The Scarlet Guarantee program consists of three funding tiers based on your family’s adjusted gross income (AGI) as reported on the FAFSA or NJAFAA:

Tier 1 (AGI $0 - $65,000)

  • Students who meet the eligibility requirements shall pay $0 for tuition and eligible fees, beginning with your first semester.

Tier 2 (AGI $65,001 - $80,000)

  • Students who meet the eligibility requirements shall pay no more than $3,000 for tuition and eligible fees, beginning with your first semester.

Tier 3 (AGI $80,001 - $100,000)

  • Students who meet the eligibility requirements shall pay no more than $5,000 for tuition and eligible fees, beginning with your first semester.

REVIEW ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

 

GARDEN STATE GUARANTEE - HOW IT WORKS

The Garden State Guarantee (GSG) is New Jersey’s promise to make a college degree more accessible and affordable. By reducing out-of-pocket costs for students and families, New Jersey is limiting the amount of debt that residents must borrow to attend an in-state, public college or university. This program further builds on Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to improving college affordability.

Download the Garden State Guarantee Fact Sheet

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

  • New Jersey residents who attend an in-state, public, four-year institution and have an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000 will pay a net price of $0 for tuition and fees during their third and fourth years of study.
  • New Jersey residents who attend an in-state, public, four-year institution and have AGIs between $65,001 and $80,000 will pay a discounted net price of no more than $7,500 for tuition and fees during their third and fourth years of study.
  • In accordance with the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority’s (HESAA) policy, households with negative AGIs are not eligible for the GSG.
  • The third year at Rutgers is defined as having earned 60-89 credits.
  • The fourth year at Rutgers is defined as having earned 90-126 credits.
  • GSG is a “last dollar” financial aid award that covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not already covered by federal and state financial aid or other institutional or private scholarships.
  • Students must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits per semester) and must be working toward completing their first Bachelor’s degree.
  • As with all New Jersey state financial aid, students must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for aid. Click here for more details about SAP and eligibility.

MORE INFORMATION: GARDEN STATE GUARANTEE AT RUTGERS

Internships

Rutgers Scarlet Service in Washington, DC (RSS-DC) 

What is RSS-DC? The Rutgers Scarlet Service in Washington, DC (RSS-DC) program provides meaningful summer internship experiences to Rutgers University undergraduate students at government offices and public service-orientated nonprofit organizations while expanding their knowledge and skills to be engaged citizens. The program will offer students a variety of professional development opportunities while fostering an appreciation for public service.

Undocumented students are eligible to apply regardless of work authorization.

  • Summer Internship in Washington D.C. 

  • Free Housing

  • Free 3-Credit Course

  • $3800 Stipend provided as a Scholarship on your Term bill

TO LEARN MORE: Rutgers Scarlet Service in Washington, DC (RSS-DC) 

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Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship (RSSI) Program

What is the Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship (RSSI) Program? Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship (RSSI) Program provides select students from Rutgers-Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick with an opportunity to earn up to $5,000 while interning for a minimum of 150-hours over 10-12 weeks during the summer at a public service non-profit organization or direct-service government office. Students also participate in a concurrent virtual, asynchronous internship course designed to explore and engage with the topic of public service while building their career readiness and professionalism skills.

Who is eligible for the program:

Undocumented students are eligible to apply regardless of work authorization.

  • Sophomores and Juniors who will have 61-91 credits completed by the end of the Spring semester.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Applicants must also be able to travel to an internship site in New Jersey, New York City, or Philadelphia region and have a passion for community engagement and/or public service. 

TO LEARN MORE: Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship (RSSI) Program

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RU-NB Dream Scholars Fellowship Program
Fellowship Program for Dream.us Scholars only 

The Office of the Dean of Students – Student Support is offering a Fellowship Program for Dream.us Scholars to conduct Research or a project that advances a student’s academic/career development. The primary purpose of the fellowship program is to provide experiential learning, professional development, and networking opportunities for students. The program is non-employment based and open to any Dream.us Scholar regardless of work authorization. Projects should further students’ academic interests and/or career development. They may take the form of a paper, performance, or other creative work; a research engagement; a training opportunity; or be purely experiential in nature. All projects must have a designated faculty or staff sponsor/advisor. 

Application Deadline: Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis. Fellows can conduct projects in the summer, fall, or Spring. A Scholar can participate in only 1 fellowship over the course of the program.  

Stipend Amount: Stipends can range depending on the hours agreed upon between the Scholar and the department. A typical range for a project is $800 - $2,000. Stipend amount will be determined prior to beginning your project.  

Eligibility:  

  • Must be a currently enrolled Rutgers University-New Brunswick and be a Dream.us Scholar. 
  • Have a valid Social Security Number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). If you need to apply for an ITIN: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin
  • Be in good academic standing – 2.5 GPA or above 

TO LEARN MORE: RU-NB Dream Scholars Fellowship Program

PAID OPPORTUNITIES SPRING 2025 - TheDream.US

Work Authorization

Students with work authorization issued by USCIS, which is available to those with immigration status or some form of deferred action (asylum, DACA, TPS, U-Visa, VAWA, permanent residence) as well as those with valid work permit (employment authorization document or EAD) or "green card“  are able to work. Log in to Career Exploration & Success - Handshake to search for on-campus as well as off-campus opportunities.

Dreamers/Undocumented students that do not have DACA are currently not allowed to work on or off-campus. You are eligible to work as an independent contractor, using an ITIN.

Resources for Undocumented Students without Work Authorization
If you do not have work authorization, you are eligible to work as an independent contractor and apply for micro-internships/projects. Check out the following resources on Income Generation for undocumented students without work authorization:

Rutgers Immigration Community Assistance Project (RICAP)

RICAP strives to foster a safe environment on campus and to remove barriers to student success by providing immigration legal services. RICAP hosts community forums, informational Immigration presentations, and Know-Your-Rights training on all Rutgers campuses.

If you're seeking an appointment or have general questions, please contact RICAP:

News & General Resources