Paying for College
Whether you’re an immigrant, refugee, or a new U.S. citizen, there is money available to help new Mainers pay for higher education. However, where the money comes from largely depends on whether or not you are eligible for federal student aid.
Are You Eligible for Federal Student Aid?
To be eligible for federal student aid, you must be a U.S. citizen OR an eligible noncitizen. If you already know you’re eligible for federal student aid, your next step is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If you already know you’re eligible for federal student aid, your next step is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Generally, you are not eligible for federal student aid if:
- You have been granted DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status.
- You have only a “Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence” (I-171 or I-464).
- You are in the U.S. on an F-1 or F-2 nonimmigrant student visa, or on a J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant exchange visitor visa.
- You hold a G series visa (pertaining to international organizations).
If you know you are not eligible for federal student aid at this time, you still have options.
Not sure if you’re eligible?
If you’re not sure of your eligibility, you can use our interactive eligibility questionnaire to help you determine your status:
Track Your Case Status Online
Are you waiting to hear back about your case status? You can track the status of an immigration application, petition, or request with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services’ online case status tool.
VIDEO: Paying for Higher Education for New Mainers
Scholarships for New Mainers
Scholarships provide money, often from private institutions or community organizations, that you will not need to repay. If you are not eligible for federal or state financial aid, you may be able to pay for some of your higher education expenses using scholarships.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Scholarships come in varying amounts and are offered by a variety of organizations, sometimes from your own community or high school. Local scholarships may be less competitive because they draw a smaller pool of candidates. To begin your search, check out:
- Local high school teachers and the guidance office
- College financial aid office
- Employer/parents’ employer(s)
- Faith-based institutions
- Local service organizations
- Town offices
YES, I’m eligible for federal student aid.
If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, the next step is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
To learn more about how to file a FAFSA, visit FAME’s FAFSA section or watch this short video (in Arabic). If you are an eligible noncitizen, you will need to enter your eight or nine-digit Alien Registration Number (ARN) on the FAFSA.
Parents who already have a Social Security number will need to provide it when creating their FSA ID.
New with the release of the 2024-2025 FAFSA: Parents who do not have a Social Security Number will be able to create an FSA ID. They should check the box underneath the SSN question to indicate they do not have a Social Security number.
If one or more of your parents live outside the United States, below are some tips to help you complete the FAFSA. If you are considered a dependent student, you typically need to provide parent information. Your parents’ specific situation will determine whose information is required, so review the below information carefully:
- If your parents are married and one parent lives outside the United States, information for both parents will be required. Additionally, both parents will need to create their own FSA ID (see below for more information on FSA IDs) and provide “consent and approval” to allow federal tax information to be retrieved from the IRS and disclosed to Federal Student Aid and to the schools you listed on the FAFSA. Parents will indicate that they are “Married filing separately.” The U.S.-residing parent will provide their requested federal tax information (if applicable). The international parent will provide their income and asset information, converted into U.S. dollars, and indicate “Foreign Country” and “Foreign Tax Return” where appropriate.
- If your parents are not married (and don’t live in the same household) or are divorced, information will be required only for the parent who provided you the most financial support in the last 12 months.
- If both parents reside outside the United States but continue to provide most of your financial support, you will provide information for both parents. Your parents will indicate “Foreign Country” and “Foreign Tax Return” where appropriate.
Important FSA ID Information
One of the first steps when filing a FAFSA is to create a Federal Student Aid account, often referred to as an FSA ID. The FSA ID is a username and password you will use to access and sign your FAFSA. All students need an FSA ID and at least one parent of a dependent student will also need their own FSA ID to sign the FAFSA.
For parents who have a Social Security number, they will provide their Social Security number when creating your FSA ID. For parents who do not have a Social Security number, they should check the box underneath the SSN question to indicate they do not have a Social Security number. Be sure to write down all of the information used to create an FSA ID. FAME has two “Create Your Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID)” worksheets – one for students and one for parents. Use these worksheets to learn more about FSA IDs and to keep track of all FSA ID information.
For more information on creating an FSA ID, watch this short video. If you speak Arabic, we’ve created this video to help with creating and retrieving FSA IDs: Creating an FSA ID (in Arabic).
College Pathways Worksheet
FAME’s College Pathways Worksheet will help keep your planning on track as you work through the financial aid and scholarships processes and pursue other options to pay for college.
Have you had a change in citizenship status?
If your status has changed from an eligible noncitizen to a U.S. citizen, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to update your status. If you do not update your citizenship status with the SSA, it could delay your student financial aid. To contact the SSA call 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security Administration’s website at ssa.gov.
Ready to take the next step?
Visit our Getting Ready for College page for helpful tips on preparing for higher ed.
NO, I’m not eligible for federal student aid at this time.
Even if you are not eligible for federal student aid, other options do exist. Consider the following:
School Choice
Attend a school that has policies and funding dedicated to supporting students who are not eligible for federal student aid funds. Here are some questions to ask when researching schools.
If the school you are planning to attend offers funding to DACA students or other students who are not eligible for federal student aid, ask them how to apply for those funds. In some cases, and if you have a Social Security Number, the school may want you to complete a FAFSA.
Resources to Explore
- USM’s Promise Scholarship is open to asylum seekers under certain circumstances. Contact Daniel Barton for more information.
- The Adult Learner Scholarship is for nontraditional students and supports a range of training, including two- and four-year degrees, certificates, and other non-degree programs.
- Learn more about admission policies, financial aid, and scholarships for undocumented students.
- Additionally, scholarships are available to students in many different situations, including asylum seekers or others who are ineligible for federal student aid. FAME has compiled a list of scholarships new Mainers may be eligible for.
Pay As You Go
Pay as you go by attending school part-time, ideally with the help of scholarships, payment plans, and possible limited funding from the school. Most schools have payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of your course(s) over several payments throughout a semester or school year, making paying for classes easier to manage.
Employer Education Benefits
Work for an employer that provides education assistance for their employees. Some employers will cover a portion of your tuition or help support your educational goals in other ways.
Start by contacting your employer’s Human Resources office and asking them these questions about employer education benefits.
Ready to take the next step?
Visit our Getting Ready for College page for helpful tips on preparing for higher ed.
