Educational Access on the Border: Deferred Action, Lottery Eligibility and Financial Aid Immigrant Student Issues Committee Laura Gutiérrez Spencer Delia Deleón Marlene Meléndez

Immigrant Student Issues Committee Was established to answer questions relating to students who are: U.S. Citizens or official U.S. Residents who graduated from a foreign high school. US Citizens/Residents who graduated from a U.S. high school but have L.E.P. Students with Deferred Action Undocumented Students 1

Mission of Immigrant Student Issues Committee To provide information within the NMSU system and the outlying communities of New Mexico relating to current state law and NMSU policy (based on said law) regarding students in the aforementioned statuses.

Can I study? Students in ALL categories described are able to study at public community colleges or universities in the state of New Mexico as long as they: 1) Meet the academic entrance requirements 2) Are able to pay tuition, fees, books and living expenses or 3) Are able to obtain these resources through various combinations of scholarships, financial aid and /or employment. (Not all students in these categories are able to receive federal financial aid, nor are they all able to be employed on campus.) 4

Where does an undergraduate international student start??? If a student has a student visa OR is the dependent of a person with a student visa, the student starts the admissions process at : International Student & Scholar Services Garcia Annex, Room 246 Las Cruces campus Ph # Undergraduate and graduate students are required to have a TOEFL English score (unless they have a U.S. High school diploma, college/university degree, or a degree from an English-speaking country (list available) ). 5

International Student & Scholar Services Contact Information Mary Jaspers Garcia Annex, Room 246 MSC 3547 New Mexico State University

B) Where does an undocumented student start??? If a student is undocumented, to study at NMSU, Las Cruces campus they can begin the process at Chicano Programs, Room 138 García Annex. Ask to speak to Dr. Spencer Undocumented students can also begin the process at the Admissions Office at the Educational Services Office at the NMSU Las Cruces Campus. Ask to speak to Delia De Leon. 8

Undocumented Students and the NMSU Application Form When filling out the NMSU Application for Admission form, individuals without official immigration status should check “other” when answering the section on citizenship/residency status.

Contact Info Chicano Programs, Rm. 138 Garcia Annex (south of Corbett Center) Ph # and ask for an appointment with Dr. Laura Gutiérrez Spencer Admissions, Educational Services Building Ph # and ask for an appointment with Delia De Leon 9

If an Undocumented student wants to study at the Doña Ana Community College (DACC), begin the process with: Geraldine Martinez Admissions DASR Building Room 107 East Mesa Campus of Doña Ana Community College Las Cruces, New Mexico Ph #

Undocumented Students are eligible for the major state-funded, and some private incoming freshman Scholarships, if the individual: -Resided in New Mexico for at least one year, and graduated from a NM GED program OR attended for at least one year and graduated from a New Mexico public high school AND -If the individual entered a college or university the first regular semester after high school graduation or GED completion. What types of financial support are available to undocumented students? 11

These Scholarships include: Non-Competitive State Funded Opportunity Lottery Success Regents Crimson Academic 12

Scholarships (continued) Competitive/Honors Crimson Honors New Mexico Scholars NMSU Leadership President’s Associates Scholarship 13

For additional information on Scholarships available for students contact: Lisa Maynez Scholarship Coordinator Office of Financial Aid DACC Room 115 (Main building) Jamie Lopez Scholarship Advisor Office of Financial Aid Educational Services NMSU Las Cruces campus

Undocumented students are NOT eligible to:  Receive State-funded Work Study or Federal Financial Aid.  Work on campus, either through Work Study or Student Employment NOTE: In order to be hired, an I-9 document (with a legitimate Social Security Number, US Birth Certificate or other official US document named on the I-9 form that establishes US employment eligibility) must be filed with the NMSU/DACC Human Resources offices. 15

There is no citizenship or official residency requirement for students to live in campus housing or to use the campus dining services. They simply must have the resources to pay for the services, whether it be through scholarship funding or their own means. Student Services for undocumented students 16

There is no citizenship or official residency requirement for students to access general academic and student services available to NMSU/DACC students (based on their full-time or part-time status). Veteran’s services, Study Abroad, National Exchange programs, and Athletics travel programs are all problematic without official U.S. documentation Continued.. 17

What is Deferred Action? “Deferred Action” is a policy of the Obama administration. It is not law. Deferred Action is not “The Dream Act” Individuals must apply for Deferred Action to the Federal Government. A student can obtain an official Work Permit through Deferred Action. Does not mean that the student has “legal status”.

Students with Low-English Proficiency Even U.S high school grads may be new to the US and have low English proficiency, making them eligible for the Center for English Language Programs (CELP) Call Regents Row B205 or ESL (CCDL) classes at Doña Ana Community College 19

Where do U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents who have graduated from a foreign high school start? Doña Ana Community College (DACC) Geraldine Martinez DACC Admissions, Student Resource Bldg. Rm 107 East Mesa Campus 2800 Sonoma Ranch Las Cruces, NM

Where do U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents who have graduated from a foreign high school start? Delia De Leon NMSU Las Cruces Campus Admissions Office Educational Services Bldg. Near corner of University Ave and Arrowhead Drive. Ph #

These students who come to DACC/NMSU with a non- English transcript, must have their transcript translated before DACC or NMSU Admissions can admit them. These students also need to take the SAT or ACT exam These students may also have low English proficiency making them eligible for the CELLP Program at NMSU or ESL classes at DACC. NOTE: These students DO NOT need to go through International Programs. 22

U.S. Citizens who Graduate from High School outside of the U.S. These students ARE eligible for federal financial aid. They still need to take the SAT/ACT test.

Immigrant & non-immigrant students may qualify for: ONLY US Citizens & Legal Permanent Residents may qualify for: College Assistance Migrant Program (C.A.M.P.) Chicano Programs Center for Intensive Training in English(CITE) ENLACE 23