Over the course of the last year, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has partnered with the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and Teach for America (TFA) to develop a comprehensive K-12 advising guide for supporting undocumented students with the college process. The guide is designed to empower educators, counselors, and administrators with the tools and strategies they need to effectively support undocumented students on their journey to and through higher education, and into meaningful career pathways. In addition to the collaboration between NCAN, the Presidents’ Alliance, and TFA, the guide was constructed in partnership with a community of educators from across the US, who contributed their insights and experiences through regularly-scheduled strategy group meetings and working sessions.

As of 2023, more than 100,000 undocumented students graduate high school each year, and an estimated 408,000 undocumented students are pursuing college degrees across the United States.

Undocumented high school students face numerous challenges in pursuing postsecondary education. Some states have restrictive policies that prevent undocumented students from enrolling in public institutions of higher education, while others require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition rates or deem them ineligible to receive certain kinds of financial aid. Beyond the challenges experienced by many students in the college process – especially those first in their families to attend college, or students from low-income backgrounds – undocumented students and their advisors must understand the complex legal landscapes, financial barriers, and other obstacles that affect their academic aspirations.

Though the current policy landscape presents many barriers for undocumented students, schools can meet the moment by ensuring educators have access to the tools needed to bring higher education and economic mobility within reach. This guide aims to provide high school counselors, classroom educators, college access organizations, and others who work with undocumented students with the context and resources necessary to support this group of students, addressing critical subject areas such as college access and financial aid, cultural competency, legal considerations, and practical counseling strategies.

Download your copy of the advising guide here.

The Presidents’ Alliance, NCAN, and TFA will host a webinar on Thursday, October 10, at 1PM ET, featuring an overview of the guide, a moderated conversation with key players within the K-12 space, and a Q&A session. This is a valuable opportunity to learn best practices for supporting undocumented students. Register for the webinar here. 

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