Undocumented Student Resources
Columbia Basin College is committed to providing a safe place for undocumented students of all ethnicities and nationalities to learn, grow, and pursue their educational goals. We recognize that our undocumented communities have a fundamental right to access higher education and that they are an essential part of our education system, work force, and nation.
We are determined in advancing the academic success and holistic thriving of undocumented, Deferred action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and mixed-status families' students. We invite you to explore the support and resources available to you as a future and current student.
Our Undocumented Student Advocacy Specialist and Undocumented Student Allies on campus are available to provide guidance and support throughout your time as a Hawk. The following resources were collected with you in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every attempt has been made to include accurate and up-to-date information. However, the information in this FAQ is not legal advice. Every person’s situation is different. We want to encourage those directly impacted to consult with a legal professional for additional information on legal options.
Yes, prospective students can apply to CBC regardless of their immigration status. There is no federal or state law that prohibits undocumented students’ admissions to public or private universities in Washington state. All prospective students will be reviewed under the same admissions criteria regardless of status.
The Washington State Higher Education Residency Affidavit allows eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Washington state colleges and universities.
To be eligible to sign this affidavit, you must:
- Earn a high school diploma, GED, or diploma equivalent before your first term at the college determining residency, and
- Maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your first term at the college determining residency. The Washington residence must be for purposes other than college. If you take any courses at another Washington college during the prior 12 months, you cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. If you exceed that limit you must prove that you have a Washington residence for non-college reasons.
If you do not yet have a high school diploma or GED and would like additional information, please visit our High School Programs page. These resources are available for undocumented students.
While undocumented students do not qualify for student aid from the federal government, the Washington College Grant (formerly the State Need Grant) is state financial aid for undocumented students and other select applicants. To review your eligibility and complete the WASFA application please visit Washington Student Achievement Council
Yes, you do not need to be a DACA recipient to be eligible for state financial aid through the WASFA. You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for state financial aid through the WASFA:
- You have received a high school diploma (or equivalent).
- You maintained a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your first term at the college determining residency. The Washington residence must be for purposes other than college. If you take any courses at another Washington college during the prior 12 months, you cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. If you exceed that limit you must prove that you have a Washington residence for non-college reasons.
- You will affirm that you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or that you will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States as soon as you are eligible to apply.
No, completion of the WASFA is not required for admission to CBC.
Financial Resources
The Washington College Grant (formerly the State Need Grant) is state financial aid for undocumented students and other select applicants. More families are eligible, and more programs and types of credentials are included, in addition to the Washington State Higher Education Residency Affidavit. To review your eligibility and complete the WASFA application please visit Ready. Set. Grad.
Our community of generous donors make it possible to award over $1,000,000 in scholarships annually. A single scholarship application matches you to various scholarships offered by the CBC Foundation. We offer scholarships based on field of study, financial need, academic performance and more. Each scholarship has its own set of criteria, but most require a minimum 2.0 GPA. You do not have to be FAFSA or WASFA eligible in order to apply.
The Workforce Education Center has funding available for undocumented students. You only need to complete one application to determine eligibility for one of our grants. We also have Emergency Assistance available to all CBC students regardless of immigration status.
We understand that college is expensive and providing for the rest of your life while also paying for college is extra expensive! Through the generous help of ASCBC and the CBC Foundation, CBC has three programs to help students like you. In addition, grant funding is available if you are a Workforce Education student pursuing a Certification or AAS.
