WWCC is an academic and economic resource to our valley’s community.  As we aim to meet our full benefit potential to our community, we are mindful to plan for all members.  We strive to provide a respectful and effective learning environment for all students in the pursuit of their educational goals. WWCC enrolls and supports students whose status in the U.S. is undocumented. We recognize that everyone should have a right to access higher education, and undocumented students make essential contributions to our campus, community and nation.

As an undocumented student, you are a member of our community and your wellbeing and ability to contribute are our concern.  We have developed the following resources with you in mind.

**Please note: Any information provided by students to the institution is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prohibits schools from providing any outside agency—including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—with any information from a student’s school file that would expose their immigration status. Immigration status should be treated like other student information.
College employees should only inquire about a student’s immigration status:

  1. If it is beneficial to the support of a student’s educational goals.
  2. To evaluate appropriate access to the same educational opportunities as all students.
  3. To ensure that students are exposed to learning experiences that focus on college aspirations.
  4. Even after, the information given to the college staff should remain confidential.

For additional resources and information, contact Margarita Banderas ([email protected]) at the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (509-394-6407; office 68 located in Main building D, Admin 1).

—–

WWCC es un recurso académico y económico para la comunidad de nuestro valle. Como nuestro objetivo es alcanzar todo nuestro potencial de beneficios para nuestra comunidad, planificamos conscientemente para todos los miembros. Nos esforzamos en proporcionar un ambiente de aprendizaje respetuoso y efectivo para todos los estudiantes con objetivos educativos. WWCC inscribe y apoya a estudiantes cuyo estado en los EEUU es indocumentado. Reconocemos que todos deben tener derecho y acceso a la educación superior, y los estudiantes indocumentados contribuyen de manera esencial en nuestro campus, comunidad y nación.
Como estudiante indocumentado, eres miembro de nuestra comunidad y tu bienestar y capacidad de contribuir son nuestra ocupación. Hemos desarrollado los siguientes recursos pensando en ti.

** Nota: cualquier información proporcionada por estudiantes a la institución está protegida por la Ley de Derechos Educativos y Privacidad Familiar (FERPA), que prohíbe a las instituciones educativas proporcionar cualquier información del archivo escolar de un estudiante que exponga su estado migratorio a agencias externas, incluidos el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) o el Servicio de Ciudadanía y Migración de los EEUU (USCIS). El estado migratorio debe ser tratado como cualquier otra información del estudiante.

Los empleados universitarios solo deben preguntar sobre el estado migratorio de un estudiante:

  1. Si es beneficioso para el apoyo de los objetivos educativos de un estudiante.
  2. Para evaluar el acceso a las mismas oportunidades educativas que todos los estudiantes.
  3. Para garantizar que los estudiantes estén expuestos a experiencias de aprendizaje que se centren en sus aspiraciones universitarias.

Incluso después, la información dada al personal de la universidad debe permanecer confidencial.

Para obtener recursos e información adicionales, comuníquese con Margarita Banderas ([email protected]) en la Oficina de Equidad, Diversidad e Inclusión (509-394-6407; oficina 68 ubicada en el edificio principal D, Admin 1).

ADMISSIONS

There is no federal or state law that prohibits undocumented students’ admissions to public or private colleges/universities in Washington State. DACA is also not required to receive the Washington State resident tuition rate or financial aid.

Your enrollment steps will be different if you are entering college level classes after receiving your high school diploma/GED or going into our Basic Studies programs. Follow the enrollment steps below based on your student type.

Apply for Admission at WWCC. Click here to apply.

TUITION & HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Washington State is one of 19 states offering in-state tuition and one of six states offering some form of state financial aid to undocumented students. 

  • Senate Bill 5194 (formerly HB 1079)
    Effective July 25, 2021, Senate Bill 5194 (SB 5194) replaced 2003’s HB 1079, significantly changing Washington’s tuition equity law. Section nine of the new bill amends RCW 28B.15.012(2)(e), making it easier for all Washingtonians, including and especially undocumented students, to meet residency requirements for tuition and state financial aid. This law may be met by any student, regardless of citizenship or legal immigration status.To qualify for resident tuition, students must meet the following conditions:

    1. Earn a high school diploma, GED, or diploma equivalent before their first term at the college determining residency,
    2. Maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before their first term at the college determining residency, and
    3. Sign an affidavit saying they meet the above requirements and that one of the following is true:
      • They will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States (green card) as soon as they are eligible to apply. And that they are willing to engage in activities designed to prepare them for citizenship, including citizenship or civics review courses or
      • They are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

    If a student meets the conditions listed above, they can claim residence under SB 5194 by completing the Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit/Declaration/Certification and turning it into the Financial Aid office at WWCC.

    Please note: SB 5194 does not change a student’s legal citizenship status. The law means that students who qualify will pay the same tuition rates that all other resident students pay.

 

  • SB 6523: The REAL Hope Act (WASFA)
    On February 26, 2014, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law the REAL Hope Act (SB 6523). Beginning with the 2014–15 academic year, this new law expands eligibility for the Washington College Grant (formerly known as the State Need Grant) to non–citizens who qualify for in-state tuition under HB 1079 and meet other eligibility requirements.

    To learn more about what is requested, review the WASFA Application Guide or find out if you qualify for State financial aid by filling out the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid).

    * Washington State offers financial aid to students who are not eligible for federal financial aid because of immigration status. Students only have to fill out one application, either the FAFSA or WASFA depending on their immigration status. If a student is undocumented, has DACA, TPS (temporary protection status), pending asylum or another status that is not U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (green card) – the WASFA might be the best application to fill out.

    2019 – 2020 Tuition & Fees Schedule

 

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to our Financial Aid Office.

[email protected]
(509) 527-4301
Main contact: Trista Flores (Program Coordinator)

DACA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

DACA is a program, announced on June 12, 2012 by President Barack Obama that protects eligible applicants from deportation and gives them work authorization for a renewal period of 2 years. It is important to note that DACA provides lawful presence but it does not provide lawful status. DACA is a program fought for and won by undocumented immigrants. More than 800,000 undocumented youth/adults nationwide receive this temporary relief. In Washington, approximately 18,000 undocumented youth and adults are DACA recipients.

How to know if you qualify:

  • You came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday.
  • You have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time.
  • You were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
  • You entered without inspection before June 15, 2012 or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012.
  • You have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, and do not otherwise pose a threat.
  • You are currently in school, have graduated or obtained your certificate from high school, have obtained an honorably discharged  veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed forces of the United States.
  • You were present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS.

Find regular updates HERE.

  • DACA Update from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
    Important information about DACA requests: Due to federal court orders, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew deferred action under DACA. USCIS is not accepting requests from individuals who have never before been granted deferred action under DACA. For more information, visit Renew Your DACA.
  • DACA Before the Supreme Court: What is at Stake

TOOLS FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS

Five Secrets to Success for Undocumented Students

by Katharine Gin, Journal of College Admission, Winter 2010

  • Get comfortable asking for help. You can’t do this alone.
  • Find older students who can be role models and mentors. They may just be a few years older than you!
  • Form strong relationships with teachers and mentors with whom you can speak honestly and openly about your challenges.
  • Be creative. Be entrepreneurial. Don’t take no for an answer.
  • Believe in yourself. Know that you have value to your family, your community, your classmates, and your country.

BE AN ALLY

An ally is someone who makes a personal commitment to fight oppression. An ally reflects on prejudice with a willingness to become aware, gain knowledge, and acquire the skills to affect change with action.

Do you have undocumented students coming to you with questions? There are many ways that you can offer support, including:

For additional resources and information, contact Margarita Banderas at the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at 509-394-6407 office 68 located in Main building D, Admin 1.

UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT TASK FORCE

The Undocumented Students Support Team works towards:

  • Information sharing of resources for undocumented students
  • Professional development and training for staff, faculty and administrators
  • Outreach and awareness both internally and externally, such as the campus web page
  • Stay current with federal and state policies that impact undocumented students
  • Help create a sense of belonging for our students to succeed at WWCC and beyond

List of task force members:

OTHER FUNDING SUPPORT

Undocumented students may be eligible for other funding resources through Washington State, WWCC and other programs.

  • WWCC Foundation
    The WWCC Foundation exists to transform our students’ lives and the communities we serve. The WWCC Foundation provides scholarships and emergency assistance awards in order to retain students who are striving to improve their lives, and the lives of their family members, through education.
  • Opportunity Grant
    Students enrolled in an approved professional or technical program may qualify for this funding. For more information, visit Workforce Education Services.
  • College Bound Scholarship
    The College Bound Scholarship program is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school and fulfill the scholarship pledge.
  • Beyond Dreaming
    Washington State Scholarship List for Undocumented Students
  • MALDEF
    Scholarship Resources Guide for the 2019-2020 Academic Year
  • Immigrants Rising
    List of Undergraduate Scholarship
  • Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
    The HACU is pleased to be the administrator of scholarship opportunities provided by our partners to assist in defraying some of your college expenditures.
  • WAEF Scholarships
    WAEF supports college-bound young people, provides scholarship training in regional high schools, funds the work of community and school organizations providing scholastic assistance to farmworker families and connects the values of tree fruit industry members with good works in the community.
  • Que Llueva Café Scholarships
    Our mission, through advocacy and research, is to inform policy makers, educational leaders, institutions and other interested entities about issues relating to the Chicano/Latino community across the Preschool – Graduate School (P-20) educational system.  Ultimately, C.O.R.E. aims to ensure that all Chicano/Latino students are provided an education that allows them to choose career and life paths based on their interests and goals.
  • National Scholarship
    TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college access and success program for DREAMers. 
  • Scholarships A-Z
    ALL students can go to college, regardless of immigration status. And yes, there are scholarships available too.
  • MANA Scholarship
    Maná, in partnership with Selva Negra and Univision Foundation has established a scholarship program to assist students who identify as Latino and who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs.
  • Career and Technical Scholarship
    The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) supports Washington students on their path to high-demand trade, STEM and health care occupations. It is available to DACA students.

OTHER RESOURCES

  • Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)
    Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.
  • Colectiva Legal del Pueblo
    Colectiva Legal del Pueblo is a non-hierarchal collective organization founded for and by undocumented immigrants working to build community leadership and power for migrant justice through legal advocacy and education.
  • Immigrant Legal Resource Center
  • United We Dream
  • Informed Immigrant
  • Here To Stay
  • National Immigration Law Center
  • Know Your Rights
  • 21 Progress
    Provides high quality leadership development training/education programs that unite, develop, and empower emerging leaders – including young adults, immigrants, refugees, and people of color – to build thriving communities. 
  • My Undocumented Life
    A national organization with up-to-date information and resources for undocumented students. It offers extensive information for high school students, college students, graduate students, and educators. 
  • One America
    The largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization in Washington State, and offers support, resources, research, and community organizing. 
  • Washington Dream Coalition
    A non-profit network of young, undocumented immigrants and allies. 
  • SOS Health Services
    SOS Health Services of Walla Walla is an urgent care facility that provides quality walk-in healthcare services to individuals without health insurance (or without adequate health insurance) in the Walla Walla Valley. SOS Health Services does not deny people access to services regardless of citizenship status or geographic location.
  • Protecting Immigrant Families
    Public Charge Info