In-state tuition requirements for Virginia DACA students - Legal Aid Justice Center
Transcript of In-state tuition requirements for Virginia DACA students - Legal Aid Justice Center
Simon Y. Sandoval-Moshenberg, Esq. (703)
684-1100
DACA and In-State Tuition in
Virginia
Information accurate as of May 19, 2014. This presentation is
intended to provide general legal information and is not a
substitute for legal advice. Each case is different, and you should
consult a qualified immigration attorney if you have questions
about your own DACA status. Notario publicos are not attorneys
and are not qualified to give you legal advice.
Qualifying for In-State Tuition in
VA
Need to prove:
Student has eligible legal status
DACA for one year prior to the start of classes
Student has Virginia domicile
“Present, fixed home . . . Intends to stay indefinitely.”
Clear and convincing evidence to rebut presumption that student shares parents’ domicile
Undocumented parents no Virginia domicile
You need to prove that you do have Virginia domicile, even though your parents cannot
New students: Apply for in-state tuition status
along with application to college.
Continuing students: Need to apply to change
domicile (tuition) status.
Go to registrar’s office, tell them you’ve had
DACA for over a year and want to apply for in-
state, fill out the form they give you, attach the
documents they tell you to attach.
How to answer the questions?
“Visa Type,” “Citizenship,” etc: “DACA”
“Expiration date:” “DATE, but indefinitely
renewable.”
“Parents provide over half of your financial
support?”
“Are you receiving federal financial aid?”
“Why did you initially move to Virginia?
“To live here permanently” – GOOD answer
“To get an education” – BAD answer
“Do you presently intend to remain indefinitely?”
What documents to attach?
Rule #1: Give them whatever they ask for.
Rule #2: If you don’t have something they ask
for, given them something else, and explain
why you don’t have what they asked for.
Examples of documents to
attach
Proof of DACA: Copy of I-797C Notice of Action; work permit with (c)(33) code
Proof of Virginia domicile:
VA high school transcript or diploma
VA state tax returns
VA driver’s license / car registration
Lease or title to house, or letter from landlord/parents
Cell phone bills, bank statements
PAYSTUBS
All of these documents should go back one year
Optional: Brief one-page personal
statement *(NOVA does not want)
My name is Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg. My parents brought me to Virginia when I was four years old, to live permanently. I went to school
in Virginia, and most of my family and friends are in Virginia. I am involved in the following
community activities in Virginia / I am a member of the following churches, community
organizations, etc... I work at XXX job in Virginia, and pay Virginia state taxes. (OR: This
is my first year working, and I am having VA state taxes withheld.) I consider Virginia my only home and plan to remain here indefinitely after
graduation.
NOVA: “Notarized letter from
parents stating exact date you
moved to VA”To Whom It May Concern: I write to confirm that
my son/daughter, NAME, moved to Virginia on
DATE. Sincerely, PARENT’S NAME.
Can notarize at bank; need ID
No need to pay a notario publico to prepare
the letter – you can do this yourself.
Undocumented parents?
Answer all questions honestly, including
questions about parents’ legal status. Schools
will not report to ICE/law enforcement
“Legal status” – None.
“Why did you move to VA?” – “To live here
permanently.”
“Employment” – Include all, even if off-the-
books
MD driver’s license?
If you (DACA student) have, or ever had, a
Maryland driver’s license, RETURN IT TO
THE MARYLAND DMV IMMEDIATELY.
Don’t just throw it out / toss it in a drawer.
Answer all questions honestly . . . But there’s
no need to volunteer information that you
aren’t asked.
“Do you have a driver’s license? If so, from
what state?”
DEADLINES MATTER.
Each school has its own deadline for each
semester.
If deadline is approaching, FILE SOMETHING
– even if just the form and a copy of your
DACA approval – you can add documents
later.
What if my in-state tuition request is still pending
as of the first day of classes?
What to do if denied?
Check your mail every day.
Deadlines are short, and extremely strict.
FILE YOUR OWN APPEAL before the deadline.
Each school has its own appeal form – different form from
original application
Call Legal Aid Justice Center, (703) 778-3450… but
don’t wait to hear back from us before you appeal.
Other statuses?
Green card, TPS, A, E, G, H-1B, H-4, K, L, P, R,
T, U, asylum, refugee, withholding of removal,
pending I-485
www.schev.edu/students/vadomicileguidelines.as
p
DACA renewal?
4 months prior to expiration
Bring renewal receipt, and new DACA approval,
to registrar’s office to update your file
Q: I haven’t yet applied for DACA, can I still
apply for DACA?
A: YES Do it now! Don’t wait until you graduate high school – because
you will have to wait about 1½ years (½ year processing time, then
one year with DACA status) before you can qualify for in-state
tuition.