• Understand in-state tuition and state-based aid requirements for undocumented students (if applicable)
• Research local and statewide immigration-related policies that affect your students and their families
• Keep track of scholarships that don’t require citizenship or residency. Help students apply to as many available scholarships as possible.
• Advocate for scholarship providers to consider and support undocumented students
5. Build Your Own Educator Network
• Build relationships and collaborate with other educators at your school or district
• Reach out to educators at local colleges who are supportive of undocumented students
6. Connect Students to Undocumented Community Leaders and Role Models
• Find and connect students to local, state or national undocumented youth advocacy organizations
• Identify older undocumented students who can serve as role models
7. Involve Parents
• Educate parents about why undocumented students should pursue college
• Encourage and support good communication between students and parents
• Invite parents into the college application and enrollment process
8. Access Reputable Legal Information & Assistance
• Identify reputable, affordable legal service providers in your area. Check out
Getting Legal Help.• Encourage students to use E4FC’s free, anonymous, and online DREAMer Intake Service to get information about their eligibility for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other long-term immigration remedies. Visit
https://immigrantsrising.org/legalintake/• Refer students to E4FC’s “Beyond Deferred Action: Long-Term Immigration Remedies DREAMers Should Know About” guide:
• Encourage students to pursue potential immigration remedies (if available to them)
9. Build Agency and Power
• Help students start a group/club to raise awareness about immigration issues
• Inform students about their rights:
Print Red Cards for Immigrants
• Connect students to culturally competent and responsive mental/emotional health services
• Educate students about how other marginalized groups have organized against their marginalization
• Build faith — a sense of agency and a belief that things will change for the better
10. Create Spaces for Storytelling and Creative Expression
• Encourage students to share their stories (when safe)
• Encourage students to build their own meaning and identity that is different from the negative stigma and stereotypes about undocumented immigrants
About Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)
• Founded in 2006, Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) empowers undocumented young people to pursue their dreams of college, career, and citizenship in the United States. We address the holistic needs of undocumented young people through direct support, leadership and career development, community outreach and education, creative expression, and advocacy. Our programming is designed by and for undocumented young people with support from committed allies.
Author: Jose Arreola, E4FC Training & Community Relations Manager
