Undocumented Students

All information and instructions for undocumented or DACA student admission can be found here.

For admissions to graduate and professional schools, contact the program directly.

Beginning with the class entering in the fall of 2017, Duke will meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undocumented undergraduate students (both DACA and undocumented) admitted to the University. "Financial aid packages will include institutional need-based scholarship funds and cover the fees for DACA renewal applications." DACA students will also be eligible for Duke work study funding for on campus employment.

If you are an undocumented or DACA student, click here to find out how to apply for financial aid.

If a student’s DACA or undocumented status changes while enrolled at Duke, components of the student’s award may also change.  

Scholarships for Undocumented Students

The Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows has created a list of nationally competitive opportunities for Undocumented Students. The list can be found by following this link.

Kevin D'Arco, Ed.D coordinates legal assistance for Duke’s DACA and undocumented students. He can make referrals to resolve immediate and longer term issues. These referrals are confidential and students’ information will not be shared without their permission. For more information, contact Kevin D'Arco, Ed.D kevin.darco@duke.edu. 

DACA Renewal Application Assistance

Duke Law School's Immigrant Rights Clinic will assist Duke students and employees with their DACA renewal applications. Please contact Kate Evans, Clinical Professor of Law and Director, Immigrant Rights Clinic at evans@law.duke.edu.

Student Health:

Duke Student Health is committed to a welcoming and supportive environment for all of our students.  We recognize the unique barriers and challenges that undocumented students face can negatively impact their overall health and well-being, and we are dedicated to supporting them.  All visits at Student Health are confidential as are your medical records.  You can learn more about our privacy policies here. If you have any questions about services at Student Health, we are happy to answer them.

Mental Health Resources:

Mental health support for undocumented students at Duke is part of Counseling And Psychological Services' commitment to serve all students and to celebrate the wealth of diversity represented by social identities that include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual identity, religion, socioeconomic status, national origin, and ability status. We are focused on serving students from a social justice lens in which we offer culturally-sensitive clinical services, campus community engagement programming, and training opportunities.

We understand that as part of undocumented students’ complex intersectionality, they may be exposed to discrimination and oppression that may negatively impact their mental health, academic success, and sense of belongingness on campus. Fears about deportation and the statuses of family members and loved ones, as well as financial concerns and employment uncertainty create unique challenges. In the aftermath of hate-and-bias incidents, your day-to-day stress reactions may be exacerbated by critical incident stress. Here are some signs of critical incident stress and suggestions on ways to cope.

CAPS provides a confidential space for undocumented students to be seen by mental health providers who will support their courage, validate their lived experiences, and engage them in their resilience. To get started, please drop by CAPS on the third floor of the Students Wellness Center between the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday and ask to speak with a counselor. No appointment needed!

You will meet with a counselor on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier in the day you come in the better. Please plan for an hour visit.

Here is what you can expect during an Access Consultation: 

1. For this initial visit, you will meet with a counselor for about 15 minutes, in which the counselor will assess any concerns about your safety, evaluate if your needs can be met within CAPS’ brief treatment model, and determine where services are most appropriately provided; and
2. You will leave with recommendations about next steps in your care, which may be at CAPS, another campus resource, or in the community. If services will be at CAPS, you will schedule future appointments with the same provider(s). Follow up visits at CAPS are about 45-50 minutes for Individual/Couples appointments and 90 minutes for Groups.

In case of an emergency in which your or another's immediate safety is at risk, please call Duke Police at 919-684-2444. If calling off campus, dial 9-1-1.

If you have an urgent concern about yourself or another student between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday - Friday, please use the Access Consultation services listed above. After 5:00 pm, call the Dean on Call at 919-970-4169.

For concerns related to sexual assault, visit the Gender Violence Prevention & Intervention website.

For additional resources in the case of a crisis or urgent situation, please also refer to the resources listed on the DukeReach web site.

See more Emergency Assistance Resources from CAPS.

Define American is a student-led club which advocates for justice for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the United States of America.

Spring 2022 - UndocuAlly Training for Faculty & Staff

April 4 and 7 from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Please click the date you can attend and register to join:

• April 4 
• April 7

Considerations for supporting undocumented students:

• Assume there are undocumented students and students with mixed-status families in the room; take an inclusive approach
• Stay current with immigration issues
• Be attentive to the psychological and social impacts undocumented students may face as well as the students from mixed-status families
• Be attentive to the financial burdens of having an undocumented status, both on individuals and families
• Know the campus resources Duke offers
• Don’t assume that all students can travel abroad or that students feel comfortable traveling domestically; be prepared to support students in developing their academic interests in ways that feel safe for them
• Don’t assume that all students have the right to vote
• Don’t assume that all students have access to government loans, fellowships, or work study