Immigrant students have the ability to apply for universities and state financial aid too. The following guide outlines the steps necessary to complete the application process for immigrant students. For further assistance, send your questions to us through the Contact Us link at the top of the page. Responses will be given within 12 hours. 

Click here for a downloadable and printable guide of the information below.

1. Ask for a student ID number from the schools you wish to apply to

• If you do not have a social security number, you will need a number to identify you through the admissions process.

• If you have an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), you can use this in place of a Social Security number to identify yourself.

• If you do not have one, some schools will give you a student id number in place. Every college/university will assign you a DIFFERENT number. You will need this number to fill out your FAFSA and will use it any time you need to access information about yourself.

2. Obtain an application for admissions

These are available on schools' websites and in their admissions offices. You can even fill out an online application, or the Texas Common Application without a social security number, at www.applytexas.org.  

Tips:

• When it asks for a social security number, put your Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) if you have one, or fill in the number with all zeros.
  
• When asked for visa information, write SB 1528.
• When asked if you are Texas resident, answer YES if you meet the requirements for SB 1528 students listed above. This question is solely to determine in-state tuition eligibility only.

3. Obtain an Affidavit of Intent

You will need to submit an "Affidavit of Intent" with your admissions application.  This is necessary to be admitted as a student under HB1403/SB 1528.  You will need to have this document notarized before you send it in.

Tip:

• If you are an SB 1528 student, answer YES when it asks if you are Texas resident (for tuition purposes only). If you answer no, you will not be available for in-state tuition.

4. Submit Completed Forms

Make copies of your application and the affidavit of intent for your own records. Submit the originals to the University of your choice, along with a sealed high school transcript and the application fee or waiver.

Attach a letter stating you are an SB 1528 student, that includes your contact information.

5. Fill out a FAFSA or TAFSA

If you are an SB 1528 student, you are still eligible to receive state aid. To do so, you must fill out a PAPER FAFSA which you can obtain from your high school counselor or univeristy/college financial aid office. 

Once completed, turn it in, in person, or via mail to the financial aid officer at the college/university of your choice. Do NOt mail this form in with your admissions application. Do NOT mail it to the federal government or the address on the financial aid form! Do NOT fill it out online!

Tips: 

• Use your ITIN when it asks for your social security number.
• When it asks about citizenship, leave the questions blank.
• When it asks for your parents' or guardians' social security number, put their ITINs if they do not have a social. If they do not have an ITIN, put all zeros in place.
• Attach a post it to the front of the FAFSA that states "I am an SB 1528 student."