Resources For Future & Current Dreamers

Applying to UTSA


In order to begin an application with UTSA, please visit the common application and select "Apply for First Year" if you will be a freshman or "Apply for Transfer" if you are a transfer, post-bac or returning student.  

On our UTSA Member questions section, the applicant will see this question under the General Section - "Are you a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or do you have an undocumented status?"

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Applicants will select "Yes" to this question, which will prompt the rest of the questions to appear for them. At the bottom of the next screenshot, the applicant will see the HB1403 specific question, where they would select "Yes."

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The applicant should not see the Immigration Status section appear that is exclusive to International applicants.  These images are from the First-Year application.  Transfer applicants answer the questions in the same manner.

If you have any questions about how to complete the application, please contact the UTSA Dreamers Resource Center at (210) 458-7267 or Dreamers@utsa.edu.



DACA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA is the name used for a process announced by the Secretary of Homeland Security on June 15, 2012, due to an executive order signed by former President Obama. Effective from the July 16, 2021 order from the Southern District of Texas, the Department of Homeland Security is prohibited from granting initial DACA requests and accompanying requests for employment authorization. Also consistent with that order, DHS will continue to grant or deny renewal DACA requests, according to existing policy. For more information, visit: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-of-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca.

Under the original process, if a young person came to the United States as a child and met several key guidelines, that individual could file an application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, to request consideration of deferred action. “Deferred action” refers to a decision to defer (delay or put off) removal action of an individual. DACA may be granted by USCIS for a period of two years and may be renewed under certain circumstances. Deferred action does not provide an individual with lawful status; however, recipients of deferred action may obtain work authorization and in the state of Texas, a driver’s license.

U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services DACA information  

Immigrant Legal Resource Center


DRC Support Services

The UTSA DRC partners with local non-profit organizations to offer free immigration legal consultations to students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who wish to renew their DACA designation. Students need to register for these clinics via RowdyLink and should bring all previously filed DACA applications. In order to donate to help support a Dreamer in paying the $495 fee, please visit: https://fund.utsa.edu/project/14694

Dreamer ALLY training is led by the UTSA DRC for students, staff, and faculty. The training provides an overview of the federal and state policies that impact the lives of Dreamers, students of mixed-status families, refugees, asylees, and individuals who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Additionally, training provides knowledge about the experiences of Dreamers, activities to reach a greater understanding of how the needs of Dreamers can be addressed, and tools to become allies and advocates. The training is revised regularly to reflect changes in state and federal policy.

The UTSA DRC hosts workshops in partnership with other UTSA support areas to increase knowledge on how to navigate college successfully by addressing topics unique to the academic, professional, and mental health needs of Dreamers. Please check RowdyLink or follow us on social media for updates about upcoming events.

Know Your Rights (KYR) training is led by the UTSA DRC for students, staff, and faculty. The primary purpose of training is to familiarize individuals with students’ legal rights both on-campus and off-campus.

The UTSA DRC partners with local non-profit organizations to offer free immigration legal consultations to Dreamers and students with mixed-status families several times a semester. Pro-bono immigration attorneys will be available for these immigration consultations. Please check RowdyLink for the most up-to-date information.

Staff at the DRC are trained to provide academic and financial guidance in both areas and/or refer students to individuals who have been identified as members of the Dreamer Council.

Provides a time for students to come by the UTSA DRC on the last Tuesday of the month from 10AM-11AM and engage in informal group counseling. These group sessions allow students to come together and ask questions, address general concerns, and build a network with other Dreamers and students with mixed-status families.

The UTSA DRC assists incoming first-year students and transfer students as early as the start of their senior year or transferring semester to ensure that they receive personalized guidance throughout the admissions process. The UTSA DRC assists and follows-up with students to ensure that they are taking the right steps through support with the following processes:

FAQ

Dreamers is an inclusive terms for undocumented individuals either with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Dreamers/undocumented students live in the U.S. and are neither U.S citizens, legal permanent residents, and do not hold a currently valid non-immigrant visa. Undocumented students may or may not have entered on a visa (i.e. B-1/B-2) or previously held legal permanent residency status.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA is the name used for a process announced by the Secretary of Homeland Security on June 15, 2012, due to an executive order signed by former President Obama.  On June 18, 2020 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled to uphold DACA

Under the 2012 DACA policy, if you came to the United States as a child and met several key guidelines, you could file an application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, to request consideration of deferred action.

"Deferred action" refers to a decision to defer (delay or put off) removal action of an individual. DACA may be granted by USCIS for a period of two years and may be renewed under certain circumstances. Deferred action does not provide an individual with lawful status; however, recipients of deferred action may obtain work authorization.

DACA students are individuals who applied for and received deferred action. DACA students typically are granted employment authorization and receive an employment authorization documented (EAD card). The EAD allows DACA students to apply for a Social Security Number and driver’s license.

For more information about DACA:

On June 18, 2020 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled to uphold DACA

You can also view President Eighmy's statement on the recent DACA ruling here

Official information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:  uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals

Frequently Asked Questions about DACA from USCIS

No. Dreamers are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, depending on the state in which you are attending college or university, you may be eligible for state or college financial aid. In the state of Texas, Dreamers may apply for state aid via the Texas Application for State Financial Aid.

Dreamers are eligible to apply for UTSA Emergency Aid Application via OneStop. Currently, while Dreamers do not qualify for federal aid via the CARES Act, this may change in the future in which case updated information will be available here. You can apply for the UTSA Emergency Aid by completing the emergency aid application.

If you are not awarded funds or have questions about any documentation required, please email Dreamers@utsa.edu.

Dreamers are also eligible to apply to the UTSA Alumni Association Emergency Aid application. Information about the program can be found at:  https://giving.utsa.edu/studentemergency.

Additional City of San Antonio resources can be found at: https://www.sanantonio.gov/humanservices/ImmigrationServices.

Yes. Texas was the first state to pass a law in 2001, House Bill 1403 (HB1403), sometimes referred to as the ‘Texas Dream Act’ which allows Dreamers to receive in-state tuition based on Texas residency.
In order to qualify for HB 1403, a student must meet the following criteria:
  • Lived in Texas during the three years (36 months) before graduating from high school or receiving a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (GED); and
  • Lived in Texas the full year before the enrollment cutoff at a Texas public college or university; and
  • Sign an affidavit declaring their intention to apply for lawful permanent resident status as soon as they are able.

Additional information:


Grants / Scholarships

It is important that all Dreamers file the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) by the priority deadline in order to find out if they are eligible for funding . TASFA funds are limited, so please apply early! By submitting the TASFA application, you may also be considered for certain institutional grants. Additional need-based grants have been made available through Tuition Deregulation. UTSA awards institutional grants to undergraduate and graduate students based on need and availability of funds. This funding is awarded during the regular awarding cycle and is awarded until funds are exhausted.  

UTSA Scholarship Hub

Visit the UTSA Scholarship Hub to access all UTSA-affiliated scholarships available to currently enrolled students. The description for each scholarship will include the criteria and instructions for applying. 

 Other external scholarship options


Wellbeing

Your mental health and wellbeing are important to us at the UTSA DRC.  Below you will find some helpful resources available both on-campus, off-campus and online. 

UTSA Wellbeing Services

There is a wide-array of assistance provided by UTSA Wellbeing Services. Enrolled students can continue to access Counseling Services at any time throughout their semester (fall, spring, and summer). Some of their services include:

  • Individual Counseling
  • Group Counseling
  • Relationship Counseling
  • Center for Collegiate Recovery

To visit with a Counselor, call 210-458-4142.

External Resources 


Support Dreamers at UTSA

Dreamer’s Butterfly

Make A Gift Today


Have Questions?

  • Schedule a one-on-one advising session
  • Email dreamers@utsa.edu
  • Include the preferred day & time

Visit us @UTSADreamers on FB, IG or Twitter for updates about current workshops/virtual events.

Have questions about applying to UTSA?

Schedule a one-on-one advising session.

Email dreamers@utsa.edu