CSCU Issues DACA Position and Resources for Students

CSCU Makes Institutional Aid Application Available for Undocumented Students

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark Ojakian announced that the application for institutional financial aid for undocumented students is now available on CSCU’s website. In April 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly passed and Governor Malloy signed PA 18-2, which makes institutional financial aid available to students without taking immigration status into consideration. In ensuing months, financial aid directors and staff at the system, colleges, universities, Charter Oak State College, and UConn came together to create the application to make this funding available.

In accordance with the law, veterans of the United States armed forces who are without legal immigration status were eligible to apply for this type of financial aid for the 2018-2019 year. All other students without legal immigration status are eligible to apply for financial aid toward the Spring 2020 semester.

“A student’s immigration status should never preclude them from accessing a high-quality education,” President Ojakian said. “For too long, many undocumented students have faced additional burdens financing higher education because they were ineligible for most financial aid. This legislation took another important step toward leveling the playing field for immigrant students – many of whom graduated from Connecticut high schools and are integral members of our communities. The application is now available, and I encourage students – or potential students – who are undocumented to familiarize themselves with the process of applying for institutional aid.”

In order to receive institutional financial aid, students must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements along with an affidavit with the institution they are attending about their intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so.

To learn more or download the 2019-2020 Aid Application for CT Undocumented Students (AACTUS), visit ct.edu/admission/finaid.

CSCU Issues DACA Position and Resources for Students

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) has issued their position on DACA and provided resources for students. Three Rivers Community College is one of 17 colleges and universities that make up CSCU.

CSCU’s Position on DACA

The fundamental responsibility of a public education institution is to foster learning, innovation, and strong communities to any student willing to put in the work to learn and achieve. CSCU admits students based on a holistic approach and many of our schools are open access. CSCU does not collect or retain information on undocumented students’ immigration status, and doesn’t have a list of undocumented students. We will not create such a list or document and could not and would not share that information with others.

Our campus police do not and will not inquire about a student’s immigration status during the course of their work that including anyone seeking assistance from the police. No student will be detained solely on the basis of immigration status. This is Standard Operating Procedure for our campus police and that will not change.