APPLYING TO HEALTH PROFESSIONS GRADUATE PROGRAMS
PRE-HEALTH GUIDE UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS without DACA
PLEASE NOTE:
Undocumented status without papers refers to any immigrant residing in the United States
without legal documentation or who may have entered the country with a legal visa that is no
longer valid, or those who entered with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and whose TPS has
been revoked. https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/defining-undocumented/
At this time and until legislation is passed to create a path to citizenship, undocumented students
cannot receive federal educational funding, obtain a Social Security Number, bank loans, work
permits, a driver’s license outside of New York State, and cannot obtain professional licenses.
These factors prohibit undocumented graduates of medical schools from practicing within their
profession.
Santa Clara University has published an important guide that discusses the legal and
practical concerns of undocumented students interested in pursuing graduate school. Their
advice discusses ID requirements specific to the MCAT and DAT as well as insight into life after
graduation: https://www.thedream.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Navigating-Graduate-
School_-Resource-Guide-for-Undocumented-Stude-1.pdf
General Questions for Undocumented students without DACA status:
Q: Can I continue to work if a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is revoked?
A: No. If TPS is revoked, we recommend students speak with an attorney about legal options
that may then exist. https://www.nyu.edu/students/communities-and-groups/undocumented-
students/info-and-resources-for-undocumented-students.html
Q: What resources are available to me as an undocumented student without DACA status?
A: Again, Santa Clara University has published an important guide that discusses the legal
and practical concerns of undocumented students interested in pursuing graduate school.
Their advice discusses ID requirements specific to the MCAT and DAT as well as insight into
life after graduation: https://www.thedream.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Navigating-
Graduate-School_-Resource-Guide-for-Undocumented-Stude-1.pdf
Q: What is the Green Light Law?
A: The Green Light Law allows New Yorkers age 16 and older to apply for a standard, not for
federal purpose, non-commercial driver license or learner’s permit regardless of citizenship or
lawful status. This law went into effect December 16, 2019.
Q: Can Undocumented students continue to travel to other states if I am undocumented or
if I lose TPS status?
A: If you travel within 100 miles of US national borders and coastlines, you may be subject to a
“routine search” even if law enforcement officials do not have a warrant or suspicion of
wrongdoing. Because of this, we recommend you talk with an attorney before making any travel
plans if you are undocumented or you lose DACA status.
https://www.nyu.edu/students/communities-and-groups/undocumented-students/info-and-
resources-for-undocumented-students.html
Q: Can Undocumented students travel outside of the United States?
A: No. The undocumented students are strongly advised not travel outside of the U.S. due to
potential challenges facing reentry:
https://nilc.org
https://www.nyu.edu/students/communities-and-groups/undocumented-students/travel-
advisement-for-undocumented-students.html
Q: Can undocumented students take the MCAT?
A: Yes. When registering for the MCAT, you are eligible to receive a free placeholder social
security number (SSN) to use for registration purposes. You may call the AAMC, who
administers the MCAT (Phone: 202-828-0400) and let them know that you do not possess a
SSN, and they will assign you an identification number (you do not need to reveal your status).
This assigned identification number is also used with your AMCAS application.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b453764f93fd480d1fcc9f9/t/5bac29c5e79c70397ee8aa26/
1538013119971/PHD-MedSchoolFAQ-ver.2.pdf
Q: Are undocumented students eligible for the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program?
A: No. Undocumented students are not eligible to receive assistance through the AAMC’s Fee
Assistance Program.
Q: What resources are available to undocumented students on the AAMC’s website?
The AAMC offers several great tools that you can take advantage of:
• Money Management:
o AAMC Financial Wellness Program - Get access to financial calculators,
articles, and videos for how to create a budget and track spending:
https://aamcfinancialwellness.com/
o MedLoans Organizer and Calculator (MLOC) - Assists students with
managing educational debt: https://students-residents.aamc.org/financial-
aid/article/medloans-organizer-and-calculator-mloc/
o AAMC FIRST Videos and Webinars - Topics include: paying for medical
school, cost of residency interviews, and postponing loan repayment:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/financial-aid/article/first-videos-
webinars/
• Other Tutorials and Webinars can be accessed using this link: https://students-
residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school-
process/applying-medical-school-amcas/amcas-tools-and-tutorials/
Q: Which medical schools are currently accepting undocumented students?
A: The number of medical schools accepting and financially supporting undocumented students
is limited. The AAMC has posted a list of all medical schools currently accepting undocumented,
non-DACA, students. Please click on this link to view the full list:
https://www.aamc.org/system/files/2019-08/gsa-msar-daca-policies-2020.pdf
Q: Can undocumented students receive federal financial aid?
A: No. Undocumented students are not eligible to receive federal aid, including Pell Grants.
Undocumented students should not file the FAFSA.
Q: Can undocumented students receive New York State financial Aid?
A: Yes. The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a grant and does not have to
be repaid. TAP helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York
State. Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be
up to $5,165. Again, because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back. To see if you may
be eligible for a TAP award, click here: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-
aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/tap.html#horizontalTab2
To see if you are eligible for aid through the NYS DREAM Act, please visit this website:
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/dream/. All information provided will be used ONLY for determining
eligibility for and administering awards. If eligible, you can apply for one or more grants and
scholarships.
Q: Can undocumented students receive private financial aid?
A: Yes. Some private schools offer financial assistance. To be eligible for private financial aid,
undocumented students must complete and submit a College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS).
A CSS profile may be used to apply for non-federal aid from the university. The fee for the
initial application is $25 and additional reports can be purchased for $16.
To learn more about the CSS profile, you may view this link:
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/getting-started-your-css-profile-application
https://cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu/ask/faq/question/4744
Q: Should undocumented students apply to private and public graduate programs?
A: Since New York State offers financial assistance to undocumented students, applying to both
public and private schools is acceptable. In general, private schools are less restricted on who
they can award scholarships to and tend to have greater financial resources for low income
students. The Medical School Admissions Requirement Guide (MSAR) indicates which medical
schools offer institutional aid to their students.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b453764f93fd480d1fcc9f9/t/5bac29c5e79c70397ee8aa26/
1538013119971/PHD-MedSchoolFAQ-ver.2.pdf
Q: What scholarships are available to undocumented students?
A: Below are additional resources for locating scholarships: https://www.suny.edu/attend/get-
started/undocumented/faq/:
o MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide 2019 - 2020
https://www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resource-guide/
o Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders:
https://www.ushli.org/dr-juan-andrade-scholarship-for-young-hispanic-leaders/
o Immigrants Rising: List of Graduate Scholarships
https://immigrantsrising.org/wp-content/uploads/Immigrants-Rising_List-of-
Graduate-Scholarships.pdf
o Golden Door Scholars: https://www.goldendoorscholars.org/future-scholars
o The Dream.US: https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/
o College Greenlight - Scholarships for Undocumented Students:
http://blog.collegegreenlight.com/blog/scholarships-for-undocumented-students/
Q: What is the Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD) organization?
A: As featured on the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) website, Pre-Health
Dreamers is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping DACA and undocumented students
navigate the complexities of pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, and physical therapy.
https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/daca-students-risk-everything-become-doctors. They are an
information-sharing network and consist of a community of undocumented students around the
country. Visit: https://www.phdreamers.org/ to learn more about their mission to empower
undocumented students.
They answer such questions including, but not limited to:
• What are medical schools’ policies on accepting undocumented students?
• What are common obstacles undocumented students face pursuing medical school?
• As an undocumented applicant, how do I select which schools to apply to?
• Should I talk about or reveal my undocumented status in my application?
• Does my DACA status change my ability to pursue medical school?
• Are there any programs that will help me cover the medical school application
fees?
• How do undocumented students fun medical school? What are the options?
To view the answers to these questions and others, you may click on this link:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b453764f93fd480d1fcc9f9/t/5bac29c5e79c70397ee8aa26/
1538013119971/PHD-MedSchoolFAQ-ver.2.pdf
Members of Pre-Health Dreamers have also developed a pathway chart for undocumented
students interested in pursuing medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy. You may access their
pathway chart by clicking on this link:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b453764f93fd480d1fcc9f9/t/5b687fc703ce649b2d3d9e19
/1533575114994/PHDCareerPathway-1-25-14.pdf
