Immigrants Can Get Student Aid Through New Rule

The U.S. Department of Education is now permitting parents who lack Social Security numbers to apply for federal student aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), marking an enhancement in educational accessibility for immigrants.

The move, announced on Tuesday, addresses previous barriers that inhibited a segment of the student population from securing financial aid, potentially transforming the academic journey for numerous families across the nation.

The resolution of technical issues now allows these families to participate fully in the financial aid process. The change is particularly impactful for the community of immigrant-origin students in higher education, which, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, represents one-third of the U.S. higher education enrollment.

The Department of Education's policy update rectifies previous oversight, and aligns with the broader objective of ensuring education remains accessible to all segments of the population, regardless of their immigration status. With the U.S. home to over 408,000 undocumented students in higher education, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, the move could significantly ease the financial strain on those students and their families.

Newsweek has reached out to the Department of Education by email on Friday morning for comment.

What Changed?

The U.S. Department of Education made strides in addressing the FAFSA submission challenges faced by students with family members who do not have Social Security numbers. As of the latest update, two main technical issues have been resolved, allowing a more inclusive process for those students. Initially, parents without Social Security numbers encountered an error that prevented them from assisting their children with the FAFSA application.

Read more: Federal PLUS Student Loans

That barrier has now been removed, streamlining the process for families.

Further, the department has introduced the ability for students to invite contributors, such as parents or spouses without Social Security numbers, to complete their sections of the FAFSA application online.

Despite the improvements, the department acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly for those users without a Social Security number who must manually input their financial information. Efforts are underway to integrate these users' data more seamlessly in the future, the department said, with a commitment to resolving the issues promptly.

The department also advised users to exercise caution when inviting contributors to participate in the FAFSA application, due to discrepancies that can arise from mismatches in personally identifiable information. A new guide has been released to assist students and their families in navigating the matters.

Read more: When Is the FAFSA Deadline?

The technical updates and ongoing efforts by the U.S. Department of Education mark a step towards making federal student aid more accessible, ensuring that a wider range of students can pursue higher education without financial hindrance.