The difference between Colorado ASSET and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) !
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Colorado ASSET are both public policies that affect our undocumented youth. There is a lot of confusion about the differences between ASSET and DACA. ASSET is a state law that only affects the price of attending a Colorado public higher education institution. It does not address other immigration issues. States do not have the authority to change federal immigration laws; they do have the power to pass laws that directly and/or indirectly affect the immigrant and undocumented populations within their state. DACA is a federal policy change that has its own set of criteria set by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Department. Students who qualify for ASSET do not automatically qualify for DACA, and vice versa. A student may qualify for one but not the other, qualify for both, or qualify for neither. Colorado ASSET: Colorado ASSET allows all qualified high school or GED graduates to attend a Colorado public college or university at the in-­‐state tuition rate, regardless of immigration status, provided they can meet the following criteria: If a student graduated on or after Sept. 1, 2013 they must have: If a student graduated before September 1, 2013 they must have: 1. Attended a Colorado high school for three years immediately before earning a high school diploma or GED in 1. Attended a Colorado high school for three years Colorado. immediately before earning a high school diploma or GED in Colorado. ! As long as a student attended six academic terms, not necessarily in three consecutive academic 2. Been admitted to a public college or university in years, and then graduated or received a GED, the Colorado. student would satisfy the high school requirement. 3. Prove they have been physically present in Colorado for (CDHE FAQ document) the last 18 months prior to enrollment, if the student ! ASCENT and/or Concurrent Enrollment programs did not enroll in a Colorado public college within 12 are considered part of a student’s high school months of graduating high school. program and may be counted toward the three-­‐
4. Completed the Colorado Opportunity Fund application, year academic residency requirement. including the affidavit, stating that the student has 2. Been admitted (not enrolled) to a public college or applied for legal presence in the US OR will apply for university in Colorado within 12 months of graduating legal presence in the US as soon as they are able to do or earning a GED. so. 3.
Completed the Colorado Opportunity Fund application, including the affidavit, stating that the student has applied for legal presence in the US or will apply for legal presence in the US as soon as they are able to do so. !
In order to receive the COF stipend, a student will also need a State Assigned Student Identifier
(SASID), issued by a Colorado public school district. •
In order to receive the COF stipend, a student will also need a State Assigned Student Identifier
(SASID), issued by a Colorado public school district. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: What is deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA)? On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would then be eligible for work authorization.
Individuals who can demonstrate through verifiable documentation that they meet these guidelines will be considered for deferred action. Determinations will be made on a case-­‐by-­‐case basis under the guidelines set forth in the Secretary of Homeland Security’s memorandum You may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals if you: 1.
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3.
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6.
7.
8.
Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday; Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time; Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS; Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012; Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or other equivalent State-­‐authorized exam in the United States, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. Individuals can call the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-­‐800-­‐375-­‐5283 with questions or to request more information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals process or visitwww.uscis.gov. -Taken from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services “Frequently Asked Questions”
DACA and ASSET Undocumented students who attended high school in Colorado for fewer than three years, regardless of the time they have been physically present in the state, are not eligible to qualify for in-­‐state tuition classification under ASSET. Students who have been granted DACA status may be eligible under existing in-­‐state tuition criteria, depending on individual institution practices. ◦
If a student can provide documentation that he or she resides in Colorado and has acceptable evidence of domicile, such as a valid driver’s licensure and/or social security number, the student may qualify for in-­‐state tuition under existing tuition classification laws and policies. -­‐
Taken from the Colorado Department of Higher Education ASSET FAQ: Resources for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Adams, A. D. (2012, 12 06). Deferred Action for "Dreamers": Advising DACA Students About Affording College. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: http://www.nasfaa.org/advocacy/perspectives/articles/Deferred_Action_for__Dreamers___Advising_DACA_Students_Abo
ut_Affording_College.aspx Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. (2012). www.coloradoimmigrant.org. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from Welcome to CO4DACA, Co,orado's one-­‐stop deferred action resource page: http://www.coloradoimmigrant.org/downloads/AILA%20CO%20DACA%20Referral%20List%20-­‐%20FINAL!%2010.1.12.pdf Department of Homeland Security. (2012). Deferred Action. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.dhs.gov: http://www.dhs.gov/deferred-­‐action Educators for Fair Consideration. (2012). Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Resources. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.e4fc.org: http://www.e4fc.org/resources/deferredaction.html Federal Student Aid. (n.d.). Many non-­‐U.S citizens qualify for deferal student aid. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from studentaid.ed.gov: http://studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility/non-­‐us-­‐citizens Immigration Equility. (2012). Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from Immigration Equality.org: http://immigrationequality.org/issues/immigration-­‐basics/daca/ National Immigration Law Center. (2012). Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.nilc.org: http://www.nilc.org/dreamdeferred.html National Immigration Law Center. (2013, 03 05). FAQ: Deferred Action for Certian Immigrant Youth. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.nilc.org: http://www.nilc.org/FAQdeferredactionyouth.html National Immigration Law Center. (2013, 9 25). Health Care & DACA Deferred Action. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.nilc.org: http://www.nilc.org/acadacafaq.html Own the DREAM. (2012). Requesting Deferred Action. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.weownthedream.org: http://www.weownthedream.org/deferred-­‐action/ Rocky Mountian Immigrant Advocacy Network. (2012). Attorneys you may wish to contact related to "Deferred Action" status. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.rmian.org: http://www.rmian.org/storage/Deferred%20Action%20Attorney%20List.pdf Rocky Mountian Immigrant Advocay Network. (2012). Children's Programs. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.rmian.org: http://www.rmian.org/childrens-­‐program/ Rocky Mountian Immigrant Advocay Network. (2012). Know Your Rights: Juveniles & Immigration. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.rmian.org: http://www.rmian.org/storage/self-­‐help-­‐resources/KYR%20Juveniles%20in%20ICE%20Custody-­‐ENG.pdf Singer, A., & Prchal Svajlenka, N. (2013, 08 14). Immigration Facts: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from Brookings: http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/08/14-­‐daca-­‐immigration-­‐singer# Together Colorado. (2012). Deferred Action Resources. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.togethercolorado.org: http://www.togethercolorado.org/documents/Deferred-­‐Action-­‐Resources.pdf U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2013, 01 18). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved 12 24, 2013, from www.uscis.gov: http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-­‐deferred-­‐action-­‐childhood-­‐arrivals-­‐process/frequently-­‐asked-­‐questions www.CICColoradoASSET.org I think I am Eligible for Colorado ASSET – Now What? FIRST STEP: APPLY AND GET ACCEPTED TO THE PUBLIC COLLEGE YOU WISH TO ATTEND !
Colorado ASSET will only affect the public colleges and universities in Colorado. For a full listing of affected institutions please visit www.coloradoasset.com/colleges/. !
Go through that college’s application process. The application process for ASSET students will be the same as all other students. For more help with this process please visit www/ciccollegeappmonth.org. !
Some colleges many require you to fill out an “ASSET Supplemental Application.” College counselors are also great resources for students who need help with the college application process. Talk to your current/former high school counselor and/or refer to an admissions advisor at the higher education institution you wish to apply to. SECOND STEP: SUBMIT REQUIRED PAPERWORK AND COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY !
The college is the ultimate decider on if you are eligible for ASSET. !
Make sure to respond to any follow-­‐up emails for additional information quickly. !
Failure to provide all required information could result in an out-­‐of-­‐state classification and higher tuition. Not sure who to contact? Please contact Blanca E. Trejo [email protected] Cell: 720-­‐227-­‐2072 THIRD STEP: apply for the COF – The College Opportunity Fund !
You can fill out the paper applicationor apply online https://cof.college-­‐assist.org/. !
Once you are accepted into an institution, you will have to authorize the COF at the beginning of each term, or do a lifetime authorization (which most institutions offer). Colorado ASSET Next Steps Revised April 17, 2014 Colorado ASSET www.CICColoradoASSET.org Colorado ASSET will allow all qualified high school or GED graduates to attend a public Colorado college or university at the in-­‐state tuition rate, regardless of immigration status, provided they can meet the following criteria: !
If a student graduated on or after Sept. 1, 2013 they must have: 1. Attended a Colorado high school for 3 years immediately before earning a high school diploma or GED in Colorado. !
As long as a student attended 6 academic terms, not necessarily in 3 consecutive academic years—and then graduated or received a GED—the student would satisfy the high school requirement. (CDHE FAQ document) !
ASCENT and/or Concurrent Enrollment programs are considered part of a student’s high school program and may be counted toward the 3 year academic residency requirement. 2. Been admitted (not enrolled) to a Colorado state-­‐funded college within 12 months of graduating or earning a GED. 3. Complete the Colorado Opportunity Fund application, including the Affidavit, stating that the student has applied for legal presence in the US OR will apply for legal presence in the US as soon as they are able to do so. !
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In order to receive the COF stipend, a student will also need a State Assigned Student Identifier
(SASID), issued by a Colorado public school district. If a student graduated before September 1, 2013 they must have: 1. Attended a Colorado high school for 3 years immediately before earning a high school diploma or GED in Colorado. 2. Been admitted to a Colorado state-­‐funded college. 3. If the student did not enroll in a Colorado state-­‐funded college within 12 months of graduating high school they will have to prove they have been physically present in Colorado for the last 18 months prior to enrollment. 4. Complete the Colorado Opportunity Fund application, including the Affidavit, stating that the student has applied for legal presence in the US OR will apply for legal presence in the US as soon as they are able to do so. a. In order to receive the COF stipend, a student will also need a State Assigned Student Identifier
(SASID), issued by a Colorado public school district. College In Colorado -­‐-­‐ Colorado ASSET FAQs Revised February 6, 2014 One of the requirements of ASSET is that students who are not legally present in the United States must sign an affidavit saying they are currently seeking legal status or will seek it as soon as they are eligible. Where is this affidavit? •
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The Colorado Department of Higher Education has integrated the affidavit with the College Opportunity Fund (COF) application. You will fill this application out one time and along with it the affidavit. The COF website is https://cof.college-­‐assist.org/ DACA students are cautioned against using their DACA Social Security Number on the COF form. How can a student document 18 months of physical presence in Colorado? The following are examples of what a student may be able provide. Please check with your college/university regarding the specific forms of documentation that they require. !
Rent receipts, utility bills, receipts or letters from companies showing the dates during which you received service; !
Employment records or, if you are self-­‐employed, letters from banks and other firms with whom you have done business; !
School records from the schools that you have attended in the United States, showing the name(s) of the schools and periods of school attendance; !
Military records !
Hospital or medical records concerning treatment or hospitalization, showing the name of the medical facility or physician and the date(s) of the treatment or hospitalization; !
Official records from a religious entity in the United States confirming your participation in a religious ceremony, rite, or passage (e.g., baptism, first communion, wedding); !
Money order receipts for money sent in or out of the country; dated bank transactions; U.S. Social Security card; automobile license receipts, title, vehicle registration, etc.; deeds, mortgages, rental agreements; tax receipts; insurance policies; receipts; postmarked letters. What if the student didn’t attend three years at a Colorado High School? •
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Students who did not attend at least three years at a Colorado High School are not eligible for ASSET. But, students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status MAY BE eligible under existing in-­‐state tuition criteria depending on individual institution practices. If a student can provide documentation that he or she resides in Colorado and has acceptable evidence of domicile, such as a valid driver’s license and/or social security number, the student may qualify for in-­‐state tuition under existing tuition classification laws and policies. Will ASSET students at COF participating non-­‐profit private institutions (Regis, DU, and Colorado Christian University) be eligible for COF in the same way that other resident students are eligible? •
No. Under current law all students attending non-­‐profit private institutions must qualify as Pell eligible in order to receive COF. Federal law does not extend Pell eligibility to undocumented students. College In Colorado -­‐-­‐ Colorado ASSET FAQs Revised February 6, 2014 Are ASSET students eligible for state or federal financial aid? !
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ASSET students are not eligible for federal or state funded financial aid: !
Pell Grants !
Work Study (government funded) !
State Merit Aid, Loans, or scholarships !
Federal Merit Aid, Loans or scholarships ASSET does not make a student eligible for other benefits offered by the state or federal government. What forms of Financial Aid are ASSET students are eligible to apply for? !
Scholarships and other financial aid that is generated from each individual school’s funds or private beneficiaries donating money to individual schools where US or Colorado residency is not required. !
Private scholarships outside of the higher education institution. For more information on scholarships, regardless of immigration status please visit www.coloradoasset.com !
Crowd funding and/or other forms of private fund raising. !
DACA recipients are eligible for hourly-­‐wage jobs created by individual institutions (not work-­‐study). !
Private loans. Students and families are strongly encouraged to research the terms and conditions of private education loans and fully understand the interest rates, fees and re-­‐payment requirements prior to taking out these loans. Are ASSET and/or DACA Students still required to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)? •
In order to qualify for certain types of need-­‐based institutional aid, students may be asked by their institution to provide family income information. Each institution will have their own process for determining need eligibility, including the completion of the FAFSA form or a form with similar questions. Please contact the Financial Aid office of each institution to determine their requirements and process. Do Colorado colleges and universities have to verify lawful presence of applicants? •
No, ASSET strikes the language that requires institutions of higher education to verify lawful presence for any person who applies for educational services or benefits from state institutions of higher education, including participation in the Colorado Opportunity Fund, college savings plans, and other aid relating to attendance at the institution. College In Colorado -­‐-­‐ Colorado ASSET FAQs Revised February 6, 2014 Colorado Public Institutions Public 4-­‐year Colleges and Universities Adams State University – www.adams.edu Colorado Mesa University – www.mesastate.edu Colorado School of Mines – www.mines.edu Colorado State University Fort Collins – www.colostate.edu Colorado State University Global Campus -­‐ www.csuglobal.org Colorado State University Pueblo – www.colostate-­‐pueblo.edu Fort Lewis College – www.fortlewis.edu Metro State University Of Denver – www.mscd.edu University of Colorado Boulder – www.colorado.edu University of Colorado Colorado Springs – www.uccs.edu University of Colorado Denver (Downtown) – www.ucdenver.edu University of Colorado Denver (Anschutz Medical Campus) – www.uchsc.edu University of Northern Colorado – www.unco.edu Western State Colorado University – www.western.edu Public 2-­‐year and Community College System Office – www.cccs.edu Arapahoe Community College – www.arapahoe.edu Colorado Northwestern Community College – www.cncc.edu Community College of Aurora – www.ccaurora.edu Community College of Denver – www.ccd.edu Front Range Community College – www.frontrange.edu Lamar Community College – www.lamarcc.edu Morgan Community College – www.morgancc.edu Northeastern Junior College – www.njc.edu Otero Junior College – www.ojc.edu Pikes Peak Community College – www.ppcc.edu Pueblo Community College – www.pueblocc.edu Red Rocks Community College – www.rrcc.edu Trinidad State Junior College – www.trinidadstate.edu Public Local District Community Colleges Aims Community College – www.aims.edu Colorado Mountain College – www.coloradomtn.edu Public Area Technical Colleges Emily Griffith Technical College – www.egos-­‐school.com Pickens Technical College – www.pickenstech.org Delta-­‐Montrose Technical College – www.dmtc.edu For further resources on Colorado ASSET please contact Blanca E. Trejo [email protected] Cell: 720-­‐988-­‐4628 College In Colorado -­‐-­‐ Colorado ASSET FAQs Revised February 6, 2014 Colorado ASSET
Are you eligible?
www.CICColoradoASSET.org
START HERE
NO.
I graduated
or earned
my GED before
Sept. 1st 2013.
Did you graduate high
school or earn your GED
on or after
Did you attend a
Colorado High School
for three years or more?
NO
You are not eligible under
Colroado ASSET. If you have
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, some colleges/
universities may still allow
you to pay in-state tuition.
YES
September 1st, 2013?
Have you been
physically present
in Colorado for the
last 18 months?
YES
YES
NO
You should be eligible for in-state tuition
and the College Opportunity Fund under
the 2013 Colorado ASSET law. Apply to a
public college. The college will be the
final decision makers of your eligibility.
You will need to provide proof of
physical presence in Colorado for the
past 18 months
You must be able to provide
proof of physical presence in
Colorado for 18 months prior to
the first day of enrollment to the
college you wish to attend.
Did you or will you be
accepted to a Colorado
public college or
university within 12
months of graduating
or earning your GED?
YES
NO
You should be eligible for in-state
tuition and the College Opportunity
Fund under the 2013 Colorado ASSET
law. The college will be the final
decision makers of your eligibility.
Colorado ASSET
¿Es ud. elegible?
www.CICColoradoASSET.org
¿Asistió ud. a una preparatoria en Colorado tres
años o más?
EMPIEZE AQUI
NO. Me gradué u
obtuve mi certificado
de equivalencia de la
preparatoria antes
del 1ero de Septiembre, 2013.
¿Se graduó u obtuvo ud.
su certificado de equivalencia de la preparatoria
el 1ero de Septiembre,
2013 o después?
¿Ha estado ud. presente físicamente
en Colorado los
últimos 18 meses?
Si
Si
NO
Ud. debe ser elegible para que se le cobre colegiatura estatal y para recibir la paga del Fondo
de Oportunidad Universitaria bajo la ley de
Colorado ASSET del 2013. Solicite ingreso a un
colegio o universidad pública. El colegio o universidad tomará la decisión definitiva acerca
de su elegibilidad. Ud. necesitará suministrar
prueba de su presencia física en Colorado los
pasados 18 meses.
Si
¿Fué o será ud. aceptado
en un colegio comunitario
o universidad pública dentro de los 12 meses
siguientes a su graduación
u obtención del certificado
de equivalencia de la preparatoria (GED por su nombre en inglés)?
Ud. deberá poder suministrar
prueba de su presencia física en
Colorado los 18 meses anteriores
al primer día de matriculación en
la universidad o colegio donde
ud. desea asistir.
Si
NO
Ud. no es elegible bajo Colorado ASSET. Si ud. tiene estatus
de Acción Diferida (DACA por
su sigla en inglés) algunos colegios y universidades podrían
permitirle a ud. pagar colegiatura estatal.
NO
Ud. debe ser elegible para que se le
cobre colegiatura estatal y para
recibir la paga del Fondo de Oportunidad Universitaria bajo la ley de
Colorado ASSET del 2013. El colegio
o universidad tomará la decisión
definitiva acerca de su elegibilidad.