Undocumented Frequently Asked Questions
The key change for the 2026-2027 academic year is that undocumented students are no longer eligible for state financial aid due to a July 24, 2026 federal court ruling. Because of this ruling:
- The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid has been closed and removed.
- Illinois community colleges, including Triton, must charge out-of-state tuition rates for undocumented students this year.
- Undocumented students are not eligible for federal aid, including FAFSA.
Even with these changes, undocumented students remain welcome at Triton. This ruling affects financial aid and tuition classification only, not a student’s ability to enroll. For support, students can connect with:
- Financial Aid Office — for tuition, payment plans and financial options
- Undocumented Student Support — for resources, advising and guidance
- Academic Advisors — for course planning and transfer support
No, you do not need to be a citizen to be admitted to Triton College.
The Social Security question is optional and can be left blank on the Triton College application. Leaving this blank will not prevent you from becoming a student at Triton College.
In July 2026, a federal court ruled that undocumented students are no longer eligible to receive financial assistance from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) for the 2026-2027 school year. Triton College is also required to charge out-of-state tuition as a result of the ruling. Please see ISAC for more information.
The ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a tax processing number, issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), for certain resident and non-resident aliens, their spouses, and their dependents. It's a nine-digit number beginning with the number "9" and is formatted like a SSN (example: 9XX-7X-XXXX). For more information visit the IRS website.
No, undocumented students with DACA are still undocumented and are not eligible to receive federal aid and should not complete the FAFSA.
Triton College scholarships are open to all students and do not require a Social Security Number (SSN). Undocumented students are eligible for these scholarships as long as they meet the scholarship criteria. Triton College scholarships can be identified by utilizing the scholarship portal. In addition, there are many private organizations that award scholarships based upon a variety of criteria and are open to undocumented students. Refer to this list of undocumented-friendly resources.
At Triton College, all of our health career programs that require clinicals cannot be completed without work authorization. Additionally, there may be other programs of study or majors where certain documentation may be required. This could present a challenge for undocumented students. Make sure to speak with an Undocumented Student Liaison or a trusted advisor if you have concerns about your program of study.
Student IDs are obtained at the Welcome Desk, located in the B building. The Welcome Desk asks for a form of government issued photo ID, including but not limited to: State ID, Driver’s License, Passport (U.S. or foreign). If you are not able to provide any of the documents mentioned, please contact one of the Undocumented Student Liaisons so we can work with the Welcome Desk to help you get your ID.