Paying for college, university, or technical school can feel confusing—especially for immigrant and newcomer students. Schools often use unfamiliar terms, and the rules can vary depending on your immigration status and where you live.
This article breaks down the most common ways students pay for their education after high school.
- Note! 👉 If you’re still deciding what kind of path you want to take after high school, start here: What are some of my options after High School?
Once you know what kind of school or training you’re interested in, the sections below can help you understand how to pay for it.
In this article, you’ll learn about:
- What is financial aid and what types of financial aid exist?
- What are scholarships and how do they work?
- What are grants and how do they work?
- What are loans and how do they work?
- How do I apply for grants and scholarships?
- What is in-state tuition and how do I know if I qualify?
- Can colleges help pay for school?
- Can I work while I’m in school?
- Where can I get help outside of school?
1.💰 What is financial aid?
Financial aid is any money or support that helps students pay for the cost of education after high school.
Financial aid can come from:
- the government
- states
- colleges and universities
- private organizations and nonprofits
Financial aid can be free money, money you earn by working, or money you borrow and repay later.
What types of financial aid exist?
There are four main types of financial aid. Students often use more than one at the same time. Eligibility for different types of financial aid may depend on your income, immigration status, and where you live.
- 🎓 Scholarships – free money you don’t repay
- 🎁 Grants – free money based on financial need
- 💳 Loans - money you borrow and repay
- 💼 Work‑study and student jobs - money you earn by working
2.🎓 What are scholarships and how do they work?
Scholarships are money given to students to help pay for school that does not need to be paid back.
Unlike loans, scholarships are gifts. If you receive one, you keep the money as long as you follow the rules of the program.
Scholarships can:
- help pay for tuition, books, housing, transportation, or other school costs
- be one‑time awards or renewed every year
- come from schools, nonprofits, foundations, or private organizations
Who can get scholarships?
Scholarships are awarded for many different reasons, not just grades. Some are based on:
- 💸 financial need (how much money your family earns)
- 💯 academic performance or school achievements
- 🎖️ leadership, volunteering, or community involvement
- 👩🏽🎨 sports, art, or other talents
- 🌎 being an immigrant, refugee, or first‑generation student
📌 Note: many scholarships are also available for undocumented students, DACA recipients, and students with TPS. Always check the eligibility rules before you assume you can’t apply.
3. 🎁 What are grants and how do they work?
Grants are a type of financial aid that help pay for school and do not need to be paid back. They can help pay for tuition and school fees, books and supplies, and/or housing and living expenses.
Grants and scholarships are both free money, but grants are usually based on financial need and awarded through financial aid applications, while scholarships often require separate applications.
Who can receive grants?
Eligibility for grants depends on:
- family income
- where you live
- the type of school you attend
- your immigration status
Common sources of grants include:
- the federal government
- state governments
- colleges and universities
📌 Important for immigrant students: most federal grants require eligibility for federal financial aid, which means undocumented students usually do not qualify. However, some states and colleges offer grants that undocumented students can receive.
4. 💳 What are loans and how do they work?
Student loans are money you borrow to help pay for school that must be paid back later, usually with interest. This means you often repay more than you borrowed.
Loans can help some students cover costs when other aid isn’t enough, but they also create long-term financial responsibility after school.
Important things to know:
- Student loans must be repaid, even if you don’t finish your program.
- Federal student loans require eligibility for federal financial aid.
- Undocumented students generally do not qualify for federal student loans.
- Some private loans exist, but they often require a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to co-sign and may have higher interest rates
📌 Note: Before considering loans, try to use grants, scholarships, and work options first. If you are unsure whether a loan is a good option for you, speak with a financial aid advisor or trusted community organization.
5. 📝 How do I apply for grants and scholarships?
Some grants and scholarships are awarded automatically when you submit financial information. Others require separate applications, essays, and/or recommendations.
Many grants and some school‑based scholarships require students to complete a financial aid application. These applications help schools and governments understand your financial situation.
The FAFSA:
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the main form used to apply for U.S. federal financial aid, including federal grants, federal loans, work‑study programs, and some state and school aid.
The FAFSA asks questions about your family income to decide how much aid you qualify for.
Does immigration status matter for FAFSA?
Yes.
- Only students with certain immigration statuses can apply for federal financial aid.
- Undocumented students cannot submit the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA asks for a Social Security number, which many students do not have.
Alternative financial aid applications:
If you can’t apply for FAFSA, you still have options. Many states and universities/colleges offer alternative financial aid. These applications may be used to award state grants, college/university‑funded grants, and institutional scholarships.
If you can’t complete the FAFSA, ask your school:
- Do you have a state financial aid form?
- Do you have a school‑specific application for undocumented or immigrant students?
Scholarship applications:
Most private and community scholarships require their own applications.
These may ask for:
- short essays or personal statements
- information about your background, goals, or community involvement
- proof of enrollment or grades
📌 Tip: you do not need to qualify for FAFSA to apply for many scholarships. Many are open to undocumented students, DACA recipients, and students with TPS.
Need help applying?
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Many students get help with scholarship applications from:
- high school counselors or college advisors
- financial aid offices
- trusted teachers, mentors, or coaches
- community organizations that support immigrant or first-generation students
These individuals and organizations can help you find scholarships, review essays, and understand application requirements.
6. 🏠 What is in-state tuition and how do I know if I qualify?
In‑state tuition is a lower tuition rate offered by public colleges and universities to students who live in that state. Out‑of‑state tuition is often much more expensive.
Who qualifies for in‑state tuition?
Rules vary by state, but some states allow:
- immigrant and undocumented students to receive in‑state tuition
- students who attended and graduated from high school in that state
📌 Note: even without legal immigration status, you may still qualify. Always check your state’s rules or speak with a school advisor.
7. 🏫 Can colleges/universities help pay for school?
Yes! Many colleges/universities actively support immigrant, first‑generation, and low‑income students.
Schools may offer:
- scholarships directly from the college/university
- merit‑based awards for academics or leadership
- emergency grants for unexpected expenses
- monthly payment plans instead of one large bill
Always ask the financial aid office:
- What aid is available for immigrant students?
- Are undocumented students eligible?
8. 💼 Can I work while I’m in school?
Many students help pay for school by working part-time. Some schools offer student jobs, which are often on campus and may have flexible hours or schedules that work around classes. Work-study is another option.
What is work-study and how can I apply?
Work-study is a program that allows eligible students to earn money through part-time jobs while they’re in school. To qualify, students usually need to apply for financial aid (often through FAFSA or a state or school financial aid application).
If you are approved for work-study:
- Your school will let you know if you qualify for work-study hours in your financial aid offer.
- You can apply for a work-study job through your school (often on campus). Note that jobs can be limited, so apply early!
- You can earn money as you work (this money is not paid upfront).
If you are interested in work-study, ask your school’s financial aid office or career center how to apply and what jobs are available. If you can’t access FAFSA, ask whether your school offers campus jobs that do not require work-study eligibility.
9. 🤝 Where can I get help outside of school?
Community organizations and nonprofits often support immigrant students before and during college.
They can help with:
- 🔎 finding scholarships
- 📝 completing applications
- 🤯 understanding financial aid
- 🧑🏽🏫 mentorship and academic guidance
Remember, ImportaMi is here to help connect you with resources near you! If you need help finding an organization in your area, get in touch with us.
For more information about being a student in the U.S., check out our resources on education.
⭐ What should I remember about how to pay for my studies?
- ✅ Start planning early, if possible
- ✅ Apply to many scholarships/grants, not just one
- ✅ Ask questions—the financial aid process can be confusing
- ✅ Talk to counselors, advisors, or trusted adults
- ✅ Don’t assume you’re not eligible—always check
This page provides general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please be sure to speak to an attorney about your specific case.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026
ImportaMí is a project dedicated to providing reliable, accessible, and relevant information to unaccompanied children and their sponsors in the United States. ImportaMí is part of Signpost, an initiative of the International Rescue Committee in collaboration with other agencies that creates digital help centers to empower people impacted by conflict, disasters, poverty, and violence.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. (2025). Financial aid and undocumented students. https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/financial-aid-and-undocumented-students.pdf
Scholarships360. (January 2026). Grants vs. scholarships: Everything you need to know.
https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/grant-vs-scholarship/
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). (2025). Tips for undocumented students. https://www.nasfaa.org/uploads/documents/2025-26_Tip_Sheet_Undocumented_Students.pdf
National Immigration Law Center. (August 2025). Basic facts about in‑state tuition for undocumented immigrant students. https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/instate-tuition-basicfacts-2025-08.pdf
American Immigration Council. (September 2025). The fight over in‑state tuition for undocumented students. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/fight-over-in-state-tuition-undocumented-students
Get Schooled. (November 2025). Does your state have financial aid for undocumented students?
https://getschooled.com/article/2955-financial-aid-for-undocumented-daca-students/
ACT. (2025). What is federal work‑study? How it works and how to apply.
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents/college-planning-resources/paying-for-college/work-study.html
Understanding FAFSA. (2025). FAFSA & financial aid for immigrant families.
https://understandingfafsa.org/immigrant-families/