Undocumented Students

At Salem State University, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values shaping every aspect of the community. These principles are embedded in the heart and soul of our institution and guide our commitment to providing access to education for all students, regardless of immigration status.

 

Financial Aid Options for Undocumented Students
 

At Salem State University, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values shaping every aspect of the community. These principles are embedded in the heart and soul of our institution and guide our commitment to providing access to education for all students, regardless of immigration status.

Below are several ways to help you fund your education at Salem State. Explore these opportunities, and if you have questions, please contact Carole Rizzo, Assistant Director of the Student Navigation Center (SNC), who is here to support you and answer any questions. We want you to succeed and invite you to reach out anytime.


Massachusetts High School Completer Tuition Equity Program

Undocumented, non-U.S. citizens who meet the following criteria may be eligible to pay the in-state tuition and fee rate at Salem State through the Massachusetts High School Completer Tuition Equity Program.

Eligibility Requirements

You may qualify if you meet the following criteria:

• Are an undocumented, non-U.S. citizen
• Attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three (3) years
• Graduated from a Massachusetts high school or earned the equivalent such as a GED or HiSET in Massachusetts
• All males (citizen or non-citizen) ages 18-25 are required to register for the Selective Service System.

I want to attend Salem State and need to know if I qualify for the Tuition Equity Program. What should I do?

1. Apply to Salem State University
   • Are you a first-year student applying on the Common App? Select "Undocumented" on your application.
2. Complete the Tuition Equity Eligibility Form and Affidavit for High School Completers.
3. Email your completed affidavit to navcenter@salemstate.edu.
4. Our SNC team will contact you if additional information is needed.

Please note: Once Salem State confirms your eligibility for the Tuition Equity Program, you must complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).

I've already been admitted and/or enrolled at Salem State. What do I do now?

1. Complete the Tuition Equity Eligibility Form and Affidavit for High School Completers.
2. Email your completed affidavit to navcenter@salemstate.edu.
3. Our SNC team will contact you about changes to your student account and the next steps (if any).

If you qualify for the Tuition Equity Program and have already paid tuition at the out-of-state rate for classes starting on or after July 1, 2023, you will be reimbursed for the difference between the out-of-state and in-state tuition rates.

What if I attended Salem State but didn't graduate?

1. Complete the Tuition Equity Eligibility Form and Affidavit for High School Completers.
2. Email your completed affidavit to navcenter@salemstate.edu.
3. Our SNC team will contact you if additional information is needed.

What is Salem State's reclassification process? I currently pay out-of-state tuition due to my status.

If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements for the Tuition Equity Program and would like to be reclassified as an in-state student to pay in-state tuition, please email your completed Tuition Equity Eligibility Form and Affidavit for High School Completers to navcenter@salemstate.edu for verification. The SNC team will process the document and contact you about changes to your student account and the next steps (if any).

Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond, retroactive reclassifications for Massachusetts state financial aid decisions are limited to the beginning of the semester when final reclassification decisions are made.

TheDream.US National Scholarship

Salem State is a proud partner of TheDream.US National Scholarship. This scholarship could give up to a maximum of $33,000 to highly motivated undocumented students eligible to receive in-state tuition in their home state but still have significant, unmet financial need to earn their bachelor's degree. Some students may receive an additional stipend for books, supplies, and transportation for up to $6,000.

The National Scholarship application opens annually on November 1! Current students, incoming first-year students, and transfer students can apply.

The 2025-2025 aid year application deadline is February 28, 2025.

La beca nacional The Dream.US podría darte hasta $39.000 para matrícula, tarifas, libros y materiales para que logres obtener tu licenciatura en la Universidad Estatal de Salem—¡pueden solicitar tanto estudiantes actuales como nuevos y transferidos!

A Bolsa Nacional The Dream.US pode lhe dar até $39.000 para matrícula, taxas, livros e materiais para obter seu título na Universidad Estadual de Salem—podem aplicar tanto alunos atuais como novos e transferidos!

Eligibility Requirements

1. You are an undocumented immigrant who came to the United States before November 1, 2019, and have continuously lived in the U.S. since then with or without DACA or TPS.
2. Came to the U.S. before the age of 16 (if you were born in the U.S., you are not eligible for our scholarship);
3. Have significant unmet financial need;
4. Have graduated or will graduate from a U.S. high school (or have earned or will earn a high school equivalency diploma) before Fall 2025;
5. Graduated or will graduate with a high school GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale or have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or better;
6. Intend to enroll full-time in a bachelor's degree program at Salem State in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026;
7. Are eligible for in-state tuition through the Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law
8. Must complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA)

Students With a Family Household Income of $75,000 or Less

The Remarkable Salem State Difference is a new financial aid initiative that ensures free tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate day students with a family household income of $75,000 or less and who have demonstrated financial need.

How does it work?

Salem State will cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees only for eligible students through a combination of state and institutional aid, including:

• State programs like MassGrant and MassGrant Plus Expansion
• Institutional aid and scholarships from Salem State

Students do not need to complete additional forms to be considered for funds from The Remarkable Salem State Difference initiative; eligibility is determined during the financial aid process.

Costs such as housing, books, or travel are not included. Additional financial resources may be available to help with these costs.

How do I apply?

Undocumented students must complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) as an alternative to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by August 1, 2025, to be considered for funds from The Remarkable Salem State Difference initiative.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be a first-time or transfer student pursing their first bachelor's degree
• Applies to undergraduate day students starting or transferring in the Fall 2025 term
• Massachusetts resident for at least one year
• Household income of $75,000 or less
• Full-time undergraduate day student (12-18 credits)
• MAFSA for undocumented students completed by August 1, 2025
• Demonstrated financial need