Welcome to the University of Oklahoma Undocumented Admissions webpage. The University of Oklahoma recognizes the importance of supporting you through this process and aims to be a source of information and guidance for you. This page holds information below that will answer your questions about admissions and will provide you with details about financial resources. In the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, we do our best to find and provide the resources to better serve undocumented and DACA students as they are students who work hard to pursue their education and deserve access to higher education and become members of the OU family. This is a safe place.
The University of Oklahoma welcomes all undergraduate and graduate applicants regardless of citizenship status. Undocumented students, with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, should follow the same application procedure as all other OU applicants.
The University of Oklahoma undergraduate application for admission allows undocumented students to self-identify and be processed correctly.
The Common Application, also used for freshman admissions at the University of Oklahoma, does not have an option for students to list themselves as “undocumented". Follow these steps to correctly have your application submitted as an undocumented student.
Applications will be routed to the appropriate admissions counselor based on the questions answered in the application.
The Coalition with Scoir Application, also used for freshman admissions at the University of Oklahoma, does not have an option for students to list themselves as “undocumented" but please answer questions regarding citizenship as “Other (Non-US)”
Applications will be routed to the appropriate admissions counselor based on the questions answered in the application.
The University of Oklahoma Graduate Application for Admission does not have an option for students to list themselves as “undocumented.” Students should complete the regular online application, list themselves as citizens or permanent residents, and then contact the office to change their citizenship status to the proper status. Additionally, if you were to have questions regarding your graduate student application contact the Graduate Admission Office at gradadm@ou.edu.
Questions regarding specific resources or financial aid are departmental based and we encourage you to contact your program's college directly.
Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with undocumented parents will be able to apply for FAFSA regularly through the online application. Additional steps can be required once submitted to process your application for FAFSA verification, or account verification.
Undocumented students are not eligible to receive federally funded financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, or work-study money. For additional information and frequently asked questions about financial aid and undocumented students go to Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education.
Undocumented students who provide the institution a copy of a true and correct application or petition filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to legalize their immigration status may be eligible for state and university scholarships.
Affidavit of Intent
In accordance with House Bill 1804 students who are undocumented who graduate from a public or private high school in the state of Oklahoma while residing in Oklahoma with a parent or guardian while attending school for at least 2 years prior to their high school graduation may receive in-state tuition by completing the Affidavit of Intent (pdf).
Opting Out of the FAFSA
According to Senate Bill NO. 93 Oklahoma will require seniors attending public high schools to complete the FAFSA as a requirement for graduation starting with the 2024-2025 school year.
Due to the FAFSA needing the student to have a social security number in order to file, please reference the following opting out process, as we do not want the FAFSA completion requirement stopping students from graduating.
Please work with your schools in completing the needed form(s).
Federal & Public Funding
Public universities and colleges are funded federally through their state and country. Due to this, there are limitations on who qualifies to receive financial aid. Ask the school(s) you are applying to if any aid is not federally funded for students who are undocumented. For instance, private donors, department-specific funding, and funding that is not regulated federally.
Housing Exemption
The cost of attending our school can be daunting, but as an undocumented student know we have processes in place that assist in making OU possible. By filling out the housing exemption form, find the OU Housing application once a student is admitted, your form will be reviewed by the University Housing Review Committee and one could be exempt from the requirement of living on campus.Please refer to the Residency Requirements to see what eligibility exception you qualify for.
Federal law does not prohibit states from providing in-state tuition to undocumented students. Currently, at least 18 states have provisions allowing for in-state tuition rates for undocumented students. Sixteen states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington—extend in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through state legislation. Two states—Oklahoma and Rhode Island—allow in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through Board of Regents decisions. For further information, please visit the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In 2008, HB 1804 was passed, placing the burden of whether to provide in-state tuition to undocumented students on the Oklahoma Board of Regents (OSRHE Chapter 3, 3.17.6). Undocumented students still receive in-state tuition if they meet the following requirements:
Please contact OU's Connection and Student Engagement if you are unable to find a notary at 405-325-3742.
The University of Oklahoma welcomes all undergraduate and graduate applicants regardless of citizenship status. Undocumented students, with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, should follow the same application procedure as all other OU applicants.
The University of Oklahoma provides scholarships through the OU American Dream Scholarship. However, students who apply to OU should be aware that it is essential to apply for outside scholarships too. You can view additional scholarships below. If you have questions about this funding please contact Connection and Student Engagement at 405-325-3742.
Donations to the American Dream Scholarship can be made online. Donors can search for "The American Dream Scholarship" in the search field.
It is important to be open to doing research on your own to find external fundings. There are companies, non-profits, community foundations, private businesses, and more. It is important to read all the requirements of everything you apply for as some scholarships will have citizenship requirements.
Scholarships America
ou.edu/admissions/connection
405-325-3742
