An Uphill Battle to a College Degree: Analyzing Higher Education Access for Undocumented Students in the U.S.

Abstract

M.A.L.S.

Undocumented students face an uphill battle gaining access to higher education in the United States. Undocumented students receive minimal to no funding from the federal, state, and institutional levels to pay college tuition. They face the college search process without the help of counselors, teachers, and parents. Higher education institutions publish little information to guide undocumented students through the application and financial aid processes. So how have undocumented students managed to gain college admission despite these obstacles? Resources utilized to research this question included books, journal articles, college websites, and personal interviews with undocumented students, high school, and college administrators. The findings indicate that undocumented students who receive financial assistance; have help from parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and peers in the search process; and who attain sufficient information about the admissions and financial aid processes are able to gain college access. This thesis concludes that states and higher education institutions must facilitate college access for undocumented students through a series of policy changes.