Penn State welcomes the application and enrollment of undocumented students with or without DACA. Undocumented students and DACA recipients can find a safe environment and supportive community at Penn State.
Undocumented Student classification: You are undocumented if you are within the United States without legal documentation. This may include a person who entered the United States without inspection or a person who entered with a valid visa that has since expired.
On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced a policy called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. This policy allows certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines to request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. If you have requested and been granted DACA, you are considered to be a DACA student.
DACA recipients and those who renew continue to be protected. The policy on DACA has been shifting. Please review the Penn State Law website for the latest updates.
Starting with the fall 2022 Application Cycle (beginning August 1, 2021), we encourage first-year applicants that are undocumented (with or without DACA) to apply through the Common App.
When submitting your application we encourage you to select the same citizenship status in all sections of the application process.
Apply via the Common Application
When asked “What is your current citizenship status?”: Select “DACA, Undocumented, Deferred Enforced Departure, or Temporary Protected Status”
When asked “What is your current citizenship status?”: Select “DACA, Undocumented, Deferred Enforced Departure, or Temporary Protected Status”
For detailed information regarding the Penn State application process refer to our steps to apply by applicant type.
Review our Penn State Publications to learn more about opportunities for students interested in joining the Penn State Community.