Undocumented Students

As a public institution dedicated to advancing knowledge in engineering and applied sciences, Colorado School of Mines is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students. We believe that anyone with the motivation and ability to pursue a degree should have the opportunity to do so.

We proudly welcome undocumented students to Mines and have developed resources to assist with their transition to college. These resources aim to support undocumented students through the admissions process, provide guidance on financial aid and scholarships, and connect them with campus services to ensure their success and well-being at Mines.

Am I an undocumented student?

An undocumented student is any non-U.S. Citizen or non-Permanent Resident living in the United States without a valid non-immigrant visa. This is different from being an international student living outside of the U.S. applying for a student visa or living inside the U.S. in possession of a visa.

Can I apply for admission if I’m undocumented?

Yes. Colorado School of Mines is committed to providing a high-quality education to all qualified students, regardless of background — including citizenship status.

Follow these tips when you apply:

Within the Citizenship section, list the country that you were born in.
Only use the “dual citizenship” prompt to list any other countries where you have legal citizenship (e.g., you can obtain a passport from that country, can travel without a passport to that country, have a parent born in that country, etc.).
For the Golden Application and Grad- undocumented students should either select the No Visa or DACA option for current visa type.
For Common Application- undocumented students should select ‘DACA, undocumented, Deferred Enforced Departure, or Temporary Protected Status’ for the Citizenship Status question.
If you are a DACA student, leave the social security number (SSN) blank; do not enter your DACA ID in place of SSN.
If you are living in Colorado, be sure to complete the Tuition Classification Form after acceptance for potential eligibility for the ASSET program.

Undocumented students are treated as domestic students in the admission process and should follow all the recommendations in the application guide appropriate to their student type (e.g. freshman, transfer, etc.).

In our decision process, we base selection on an applicant’s academic and personal readiness for success at Mines. Citizenship is not a factor.

Is my personal information safe?

Your personal information is safe.

The information you share with us about yourself and about your family is protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This federal law protects applicants and current students from having their personal information shared.

What is it like to be an undocumented student at Mines?

We are strongly committed to the academic and personal success of all CSM students, and you will be supported in your pursuit of a Mines degree.

It’s important to know that your citizenship and immigration status are not a matter of public record, so your Mines experience will include many “typical” components not impacted by your legal status.

Here are some resources that may be particularly helpful:

Mines is home to a welcoming multicultural center.
Mines provides free academic support, including free tutoring.
The multicultural engineering program student organizations consist of underrepresented students and their allies.
Students from Colorado may be eligible for additional program resources.

Do I qualify for financial aid and scholarships?

We’ve made an institutional commitment to help undocumented students in the following ways.

State legislation allows us to grant in-state tuition classification to qualified undocumented students in Colorado through the ASSET program.
Undocumented Colorado students can be considered for some institutional grants and scholarships (i.e., not from state or federal funds).

Note from MEP & ISSS at Mines

We understand that possible upcoming federal changes to immigration policies may be causing you and your families uncertainty or concern, and we want you to know that you are not alone. At Mines, the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) are here to support you. We remain committed to keeping you informed about developments that may affect you and to providing resources and guidance as they become available.

Most importantly, we want to affirm that we deeply care about you and are dedicated to your success and well-being. As you and your families navigate any upcoming challenges, please remember to prioritize self-care whenever possible—taking moments to rest, recharge, and seek support when needed. You are an important part of our community, and we are here for you.

Here is a short list of resources that available to you:

- Community resources, including local cultural centers, DREAMER resources, legal resources, and mental health resources can be found here: https://mep.mines.edu/resources/community/
- ISSS is available for immigration advising for incoming, current, and graduated F1 and J1 students.
- There may be questions about the privacy protections that are in place for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) contributors without Social Security numbers. The 2025-26 FAFSA is now officially open and although the Higher Education Act prohibits the use of data for any purpose other than determining and awarding federal financial assistance, there is no guarantee at this time that data submitted to the US Department of Education as part of the FAFSA process will continue to be protected. Every individual should have as much information as possible before submitting identifying information to the federal government. Please contact the Financial Aid office to discuss FAFSA applications and alternate funding options available.
- The Counseling Center welcomes students to receive care and support in an affirming space. Counseling visits are a secure, nonjudgmental experience where students can freely express their feelings without fear.
- Student Outreach and Support is also available for any student facing personal and academic challenges.