DACA/Undocumented Students
You Belong Here
We are committed to the success and well-being of each member of our Lion family, and this page is intended to help you access the support and resources you need to succeed in your academic and personal life. You belong at A&M-Commerce, and we are here to lend a helping hand.
Student Counseling Services
Our on-campus Counseling Center, supports students' emotional and mental well-being. The Counseling Center staff values the inherent worth and dignity of all people, and respects and cares for those they serve. They are also social justice advocates, who are dedicated to supporting our DACA and undocumented students.
Emotional Well-being
The Counseling Center staff is committed to your emotional well-being and mental health, with a mission to support, connect and empower. Make an appointment by calling 903.886.5145 or drop in for a confidential counseling session at Halladay Student Services Building, Room 203.
Legal Counsel
An attorney is also available by appointment in the Counseling Center to assist students with non-immigration related legal counsel and advice. There is no fee for this service. Call 903.886.5145 to schedule a legal consultation.
Admission to A&M-Commerce
Did you know that, through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to attend college in the United States?
In fact, qualified individuals in Texas are eligible for in-state tuition under the 36-Month Provision, which allows residency to qualified international students through high school graduation in Texas.* To establish residency through high school graduation, a person must:
- Graduate from a Texas high school or receive a GED in Texas AND
- Physically reside in Texas for the 36 consecutive months immediately prior to high school graduation AND
- Physically reside in Texas for the 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls in a Texas public college or university.
If you are thinking about attending A&M-Commerce, please visit our admissions page or email [email protected] to learn more about admission requirements, residency requirements, or to fill out an application. You may also contact 903.886.5000 to speak with an admissions representative.
*Conditions apply.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Although DACA-eligible students do not qualify for federal student aid, many other scholarships and financial aid options are available to help cover college costs. If you are a current or future student, visit Financial Aid to discover your options.
In 2001, the Texas Legislature passed legislation allowing certain categories of foreign students to meet state requirements for residency. This classification enables these students to pay resident tuition and fee rates while attending public institutions of higher education in Texas. The classification also allows these students to meet residency requirements for some state financial aid programs.
- Students who are not able to complete the FAFSA due to their immigration status may be able to file the TASFA.
- Classified as a Texas resident
- Eligible to pay the Texas in-state tuition rate, not due to waivers such as an in-state scholarship or an assistantship
To receive this classification, you must be able to meet one of the three criteria below:
- You must hold a visa that enables you to domicile in the United States. You (or your parent(s) if you are a dependent) must be gainfully employed in Texas for at least 12 months.
- You (regardless of INS status) have petitioned for permanent residency status (have filed an I-130 or I-140).
- You have resided in Texas for three years leading up to graduation from high school or the receipt of a GED certificate, living at least part of that time with a parent or court-appointed legal guardian. You have not established a residence in another state or location and have not taken ANY college hours prior to fall 2001 that required admission to an institution of higher education (this includes hours taken through dual enrollment while attending high school).
If you qualify for resident status based on one of the three criteria listed, you are eligible to apply for state aid. Please complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid.
- It is extremely important to understand the questions on the TAFSA, especially in reference to dependency status.
- For more information on your dependency status, please refer to the TASFA Notes for the appropriate year under Step 4 – Fill Out the Online Form below.
For 2022-2023 TASFA, you will need to gather the following:
- Parent's 2020 Tax Return Transcript (for Dependent students only).
- Parent's 2020 W-2 forms (for Dependent students only).
- Student's 2020 Tax Return Transcript (if student worked and filed taxes for the 2019 year).
- Student's 2020 W-2 forms (and spouse, if married).
For 2023-2024 TASFA, you will need to gather the following:
- Parent's 2021 Tax Return Transcript (for Dependent students only).
- If unable to attach Parent’s Tax Return transcript, please attach Parent's 2021 W-2 forms (for Dependent students only).
- Student's 2021 Tax Return Transcript (if student worked and filed taxes for the 2021 year).
- If unable to attach Student's Tax Return Transcript, please attach Student's 2021 W-2 forms (and spouse, if married).
- Student's Selective Service Registration Acknowledgement Card (students born male only).
- TASFA Signature Page signed in ink. If you are a Dependent student, it will need to be signed by Student AND Parent.”
- Click below to submit your TASFA and required documents
- Allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
- After the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships receives your TAFSA, you will be contacted via LeoMail (through your myLEO account) if any additional information is needed.
- Complete any outstanding requirements as soon as possible otherwise your financial aid will be delayed and you will not be awarded in a timely manner.
*Applications for assistance cannot be fully considered until all of the application forms are received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the applicant is fully admitted as a regular degree-seeking student. Contact the Admissions Office for admission information. A&M-Commerce officially corresponds with students through their assigned A&M-Commerce email account within their myLEO.
Important Dates
The application period begins on October 1 of each year for the following academic year. You should complete the FAFSA or TASFA as soon as possible for each academic year. Mark it on your calendar as a reminder.
Application Priority Deadlines
To receive the best possible combination of financial assistance, an applicant should submit all required application forms to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by the priority deadline dates listed below. Applications received after these deadline dates are awarded based on funds available.
| Fall/Spring | January 15 |
| Spring Only | November 15 |
| Summer | April 15 |
Deadline for 2023-2024 FAFSA
Financial aid applications for the 2023-2024 year need to be received in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by June 30, 2024.
Student Privacy
A&M-Commerce fully complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The Texas A&M University System provides additional privacy protections. Under FERPA, A&M-Commerce will not voluntarily share your private information, and we will protect your information to the fullest extent of the law. When we receive information requests that implicate individual privacy rights, we work closely with the Office of General Counsel of The Texas A&M University System to protect, within the parameters of state and federal law, the privacy of all members of the A&M-Commerce community.
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES – BEYOND CAMPUS*
Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) offers training courses, support, news and information, including the latest DACA updates.
Informed Immigrant
Informed Immigrant can help you find nearby DACA renewal clinics as well as legal help and financial assistance.
National Immigration Law Center
National Immigration Law Center publishes important DACA information, including:
- Status of current DACA litigation: Stay up to date on lawsuits challenging last year's DACA termination.
- DACA Litigation Timeline: Find out key recent and upcoming dates affecting the status of DACA.
State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Texas features a comprehensive search tool to help you find qualified immigration attorneys based on a variety of criteria, including fee options offered.
The United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security publishes the most accurate information about immigration regulations, policies and updates.
- Homeland Security's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) page provides important updates on DACA rulings.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provides forms, news, citizenship information, tools and legal resources for citizen-seeking individuals.
- The USCIS' archived DACA page features previous DACA updates, important information about DACA requests and other DACA-related information.
- The USCIS also provides tips for correctly filing DACA renewal forms.
The United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice features a national directory of pro-bono legal services, including Texas providers. The list includes legal immigration services available to undocumented persons in Texas.
* All external links in this section are meant solely to provide potential resources to students. As such, the university is not responsible for content or views contained therein. Students are always encouraged to check with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) to get the most accurate information about immigration regulations, policies and updates.