Undocumented & DACAmented Student Resources
For Prospective Students
Undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students follow the procedures and requirements for first-year or transfer admission. They are evaluated in the same way as U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Undocumented and DACA students may apply under any admission plan, including January admission.
For more information, please visit the admission websites for:
- First-Year Applicants
- International Applicants
- Transfer Applicants
- Ada Comstock Scholars Program Applicants
Please contact the Office of Admission if you have further questions.
Smith’s Commitment
We will:
- Provide equal access to institutional need-based financial aid and campus employment for undocumented students studying in the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
- Evaluate undocumented and DACA students under the same procedures and requirements we use for first-year or transfer admission for U.S. citizens in making admission decisions.
- Take no voluntary action that would put members of our community at risk because of their citizenship or immigration status.
- Resist releasing information about students’ citizenship or immigration status unless we are legally compelled to do so; if presented with a subpoena or other imperative, we will seek legal counsel before taking any steps to comply.
- Continue our practice of strictly limiting the use of eVerify, the online system that cross-checks employment eligibility with the Department of Homeland Security, so that it is used only when we are legally required to do so. We will not use eVerify for routine matters, such as work-study employment.
- Facilitate access to legal counsel for undocumented students and for international students affected by the travel ban.
- Provide students with need-based financial support to cover the costs of meeting immigration application fees as necessary.
- Facilitate finding year-round housing for international students, potentially on campus or through the alumnae network, if any cannot go home because of travel bans.
Resources for Students
The following administrative staff members serve as resources for undocumented student concerns. They can provide information on support available—on campus, in the area and in the larger academic community—for undocumented students. In an off-hours emergency, they can be contacted through dispatch (2490 from a campus phone; 413-585-2490 from a cell phone or off campus).
Primary Contact
- Raven Fowlkes-Witten ’17, Program and Outreach Coordinator, Office for Equity and Inclusion
Additional Resources
- Julie Ohotnicky, Dean of Students
- L'Tanya Richmond, Dean of Multicultural Affairs
Smith Resources
- International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
- Admission and Financial Aid for Undocumented Students
- Smith College Counseling Services
- Lazarus Center for Career Development
More Resources
- Immigrant Protection Project
- Informed Immigrant
- Steps to Take if Your DACA Renewal is Delayed
- Quick Guide to Immigration Issues on Campus (PDF)
- Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration: Where DACA Stands Now (PDF)
- DACA Renewal Resources from Ready California
- The New Americans Hotline, 800-566-7636
- United We Dream
- FAQ: Rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (PDF)