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Undocumented Student Program (USP)

Our Mission

The NSC Undocumented Student Program (USP) in the Office of Community, Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion (CEDI) works holistically with undocumented immigrant students and mixed-status families in accessing an equitable college education. NSC USP supports undocumented students starting from college access to graduation. USP strives to do this by: 

  1. Providing individualized advising and case management for current and future Nevada State College undocumented students  
  2. Advocating with and for undocumented students through trainings and programming for Nevada State College students, faculty, staff and administration  
  3. Increasing community-wide awareness of policies affecting current and future Nevada State College undocumented students 
  4. Promoting a culture of equity and connectedness around undocumented student support throughout campus and beyond 

Get Support

The Undocumented Student Program (USP) is available to help students: 

  • Learn about available resources including financial aid, legal, health, academic, careers and other resources. 
  • Answer questions about topics that impact undocumented students including accessing scholarships, renewing DACA, career access without work authorization. 
  • Be a part of a community that wants to see them thrive and graduate! 

To get support or to make an appointment, contact cedi@nsc.edu

UndocuScorpion Newsletter

The UndocuScorpion Newsletter is a bi-monthly newsletter with updates, resources and opportunities for Nevada State College’s undocumented community. We encourage anybody to check out this newsletter whether they are directly undocumented or allies, including students, faculty/ staff, and community members.

Stay Connected

Instagram: @uspnsc
Facebook: /nevadastatecedi

TheDream.US Scholarship Workshop

Nevada State University, UNLV, and Make the Road Nevada are partnering up for a TheDream.US Scholarship Workshop on January 25, 2024 from 5:30-7:30pm at the East Las Vegas Library 🎉
 
TheDream.US Scholarship is a life-changing scholarship that provides up to $39,000 for undocumented and DACAmented students to complete their Bachelor’s Degree at Nevada State University and UNLV. Please share widely with colleagues, students, and community members! 
  • Learn how to apply for TheDream.US Scholarship
  • Get help applying to UNLV and Nevada State University
  • Students and families can register at: bit.ly/Scholarship-Dream

Apply Now: Spring 2024 TheDream.US Internship Funding Program

If you are a Nevada State University TheDream.US Scholar with a Social Security Number (SSN) OR Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) (DACA is not required), you are eligible to apply for these THREE internships and get paid. Internships allow you to demonstrate your skills, explore career paths, and expand your professional network! Learn all the details here: bit.ly/tdusinternship

Spring 2024 Internships

Immunize Nevada | 85 hours | $1,700 Payment

Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada | 85 hours | $1,700 Payment

Mexican Consulate in Las Vegas | 80 hours | $1,600 Payment

How to Apply

Step 1: Visit bit.ly/tdusinternship to get all the details about each internship site and how to apply.

Step 2: If you decide to apply, ask Career Services for help! They can help you with your application including how to prepare for your interview. Apply before January 7, 2024, interns are selected on a first-come, first serve basis so apply early!

Download our Flyers

Are you a community college or high school counselor interested in helping undocumented students get to college? Or are you an undocumented student interested in attending Nevada State College? Visit our toolkit to download our flyers with information about the Undocumented Student Program, TheDream.US Scholarship, and Paying For College as an Undocumented Student.

NSC Undocumented Student Program Toolkit

 

TheDream.US Guide for NSC Scholars

Check out this guide if you’re a current TheDream.US scholar at Nevada State College. It answers questions about requirements like scholar advising, when you can expect your scholarship funding, campus resources and more!

Read & Download the Guide. 

 

UndocuScorpion Chats Fall 2022

Financial Aid for Undocumented Students
Tuesday, October 18th from 6 – 7:30pm
Chat with Jackie Palacios, Financial Aid Services, to learn about financial aid support & scholarships for undocumented and DACA students! Learn about topics such as finding scholarships, how to apply, and more!

Watch the Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Recording Here!

Financial Literacy for Undocumented Students
Thursday, September 22nd from 6 – 7:30pm
Chat with Dr. Jessica Parks, Assistant Professor of Finance, to learn about financial literacy and resources for undocumented and DACA students! Learn about topics such as budgeting and saving, opening a bank account, and more!

Watch the Financial Literacy for Undocumented Students Recording Here!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who are undocumented students?

Undocumented students are our friends, colleagues, and community members. The word “undocumented” is broadly used to include all immigrants who reside in the United States without legal status (Immigrants Rising). This includes undocumented students with and without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  

Undocumented students come from diverse nationalities, racial and ethnic identities, and backgrounds. Nevada has the highest per capita number of undocumented immigrants, with 7% of the state population being undocumented, and 1 in 5 children having an undocumented parent (Pew Research Center).  

Can I enroll at Nevada State College if I’m undocumented?

Yes! Nevada State College welcomes all students interested in a college education. In Nevada, public colleges and universities do not require legal immigration or citizenship status to enroll in classes. Learn about applying to Nevada State College through the Office of Admissions & Recruitment 

Additionally, any student who graduates from a Nevada high school is automatically eligible for in-state tuition regardless of their immigration status (also known as resident tuition rates). This is often referred to as “tuition equity.” If a student doesn’t graduate from a Nevada high school, they are still able to enroll in classes.  

How can I pay for college?

Nevada State College offer multiple financial aid options for undocumented students:  

  • Financial Aid for Undocumented Students at Nevada State– Watch the recording of our UndocuScorpion Chat with the Financial Aid Office. We go over scholarships for incoming and current students.
  • Incoming & Current Students are encouraged to apply for TheDream.US National Scholarship. This scholarship program provides multiple scholarships of up to $39,000 for undocumented students to complete their Bachelor’s Degree at Nevada State College. This scholarship funds tuition, book and materials. The scholarship deadline is February 28, 2023.
  • Incoming Students including freshman high school graduates and community college transfers can apply for scholarships through the Office of Admissions & Recruitment. 
  • Current and admitted students are encouraged to submit the Non Federal Aid Application through the Financial Aid Office, in order to be eligible for the NSC Opportunity Grant based on their financial need. Contact our office for assistance with the Non Federal Aid Form. 
  • Current students are encouraged to apply for scholarships in different offices and departments throughout the school year. Students can learn about these scholarships and programs by regularly checking their NSC Portal Announcements and their student email.  
  • Incoming & Current Students are encouraged to sign up for the Undocumented Student Program’s UndocuScorpion Newsletter. This is a monthly e-newsletter with information about resources and scholarships. 
How can I apply for TheDream.US Scholarship?

About 

Nevada State College is a proud Partner College for TheDream.US, the nation’s largest scholarship and access program for undocumented students. Undocumented students interested in attending Nevada State College are encouraged to apply for TheDream.US National Scholarship, which provides a full-tuition and renewable scholarship for undocumented students as well as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients. Nevada State College currently supports over 100 TheDream.US Scholarship Recipients that have enrolled in our college since 2017.  

Benefits 

The National Scholarship provides up to $39,000 for students to complete their Bachelor’s Degree at Nevada State College. In addition to tuition assistance, scholars also receive a stipend each semester for books. Scholars are provided with individualized assistance from an advisor to support them throughout their college journey.  

 Apply 

Applications for the 2023-2024 school year open are now open! Visit thedream.us to apply. For help, contact Mariana Sarmiento, Manager of Undocumented Programs at mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu or 702-992-2395.  

Can I work on campus?

DACA and TPS recipients with work authorization are eligible for employment on campus.  

Undocumented students who don’t have DACA or TPS are not eligible to be employed on campus. However, there are opportunities throughout the college where all students may be eligible for stipends or scholarships. One example is the Writing Center’s Internship Positions that open every Spring Semester.  

*New Opportunity* Apply for the TDUS Internship Funding Program starting August 1st! Do you have an unpaid internship? Turn it into a paid internship with funding from TheDream.US. Deadline to apply is September 11, 2022. To learn more and apply visit /careers/internship

Students can learn about employment opportunities, paid internships and scholarships by visiting the Career Services office. Students can also regularly check their NSC Portal Announcements and their student email for opportunities. All students are encouraged to sign up for the Undocumented Student Program’s UndocuScorpion Newsletter. This is a monthly e-newsletter with information about resources and scholarships. To sign up, email mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu. 

What's going on with DACA?

Undocumented students are welcome at Nevada State. To learn more about the latest news on DACA, check out the resources below.

Information for Faculty & Staff

Committees

Serving Undocumented Students Subcommittee

The Serving Undocumented Students Subcommittee operates under the NSC Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce (DITF) with the goal of providing a network of support for undocumented and DACA students on campus. To join the subcommittee, contact mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu.

NSHE All Access Committee

The mission of the NSHE All Access Coalition (NSHE AAC) is to build a comprehensive, state-wide support system for immigrant students who are undocumented, including recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In order to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates, the NSHE AAC works to implement practical, research-informed, institutionalized and systemic policies and to provide tangible resources and on-campus support. By sharing information and collaborating, the NSHE AAC is able to guide best-practices, impact equity and intervene when necessary to advocate with and for student needs. To join, contact mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu.

Syllabus Statement

The following undocumented student support syllabus statement may be modified and included on your syllabi.

Undocumented Student Support
Immigration is a complex phenomenon with broad impact—those who are directly affected by it, as well as those who are indirectly affected by their relationships with family members, friends, and loved ones. If your immigration status presents obstacles to engaging in specific activities or fulfilling specific course criteria, please request support from the NSC Undocumented Student Program (USP). USP offers support services and coordinates resource access for undocumented students (with and without DACA) as well as students from mixed-status families. To learn more, visit nevadastate.edu/undocumented.

Adapted from The University of Utah Dream Center.

UndocuALLy Training

The Undocumented Student Program (USP) is proud to to host UndocuAlly Training for faculty, staff, and administration in order to encourage the development of a safe and welcoming campus for undocumented students.

UndocuAlly Training: Careers & Professional Licensing for Undocumented Students

November 3, 2022 | 10am – 12pm | Zoom

Join this UndocuAlly Training for staff & faculty, focused on empowering undocumented and DACA students in pursuing their career, graduate school, and professional licensing goals! We’ll be joined by Career Services to discuss life-after-college opportunities for undocumented students. Register today!

Request an UndocuAlly Workshop
To learn more about UndocuAlly Training or to request a training for your office or department, please email mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu.

Campus Resources

Admissions

NSC Admissions Office – Students interested in attending Nevada State College can learn more through the Admissions & Recruitment office website.

Admissions Scholarships– Check out the Admissions Scholarships are available to incoming students regardless of immigration status.

Tuition Calculator– Use our tuition calculator to estimate how much your tuition will cost at Nevada State College. Undocumented students who graduated from a Nevada high school are considered “residents” for tuition purposes.

Financial Aid

 Non Federal Aid Form- Undocumented and DACA students at Nevada State are encouraged to submit this form, in order to receive financial aid from the Financial Aid office. This form allows the Financial Aid office to get an idea of a student’s financial need and provide funding if it’s available. At this time, students may submit the form for the 22-23 school year. Students must submit this form for every school year. 

FAFSA Students who are DACA recipients may submit a FAFSA if they are interested in the Silver State Opportunity Grant. However, students may not submit both the FAFSA and the Non Federal Aid form. For assistance, please schedule an appointment with Mariana Sarmiento at mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu. 

Winter & Summer Classes with TD.US Scholarship- The TD.US scholarship can pay for winter & Summer classes at Nevada State College. It’s important for students to know that the scholarship funding for Winter classes will be sent to students’ accounts by the middle of the Spring semester. So if students see a balance on their accounts for Winter classes, don’t panic! The funding just takes a bit longer to go to student accounts. If you have questions about this, please contact TheDream.US_Support@applyISTS.com. 

Scholarships for Undocumented Students- Find lists of scholarships through the Higher Ed Immigration Portal that are open to undocumented students throughout the country. 

Nevada Public Education Foundation– The Public Education Foundation provides an extensive variety of scholarships to increase student access to post-secondary opportunities in support of their educational goals. 

Dreamers Roadmap– Dreamers Roadmap is a free national mobile app that helps undocumented students find scholarships to go to college. 

Health & Wellness

NSC Counseling- NSC offers 5 free mental health counseling sessions for students enrolled in Fall or Spring semesters. All counseling sessions are private and confidential. To sign up or for more info contact counseling@nsc.edu. 

Student Wellness & Food Pantry– The Student Wellness team provides resources and support for students to access basic needs like food, health care, transportation, emergency funding and more. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help or contact Case Manager Laura Hinojosa at laura.hinojosa@nsc.edu. 

Legal Assistance

UNLV Immigration Clinic  This legal clinic provides FREE assistance completing the DACA renewal forms for any Nevada resident, including NSC students. They do not pay for the $495 renewal fee, but they do provide free assistance completing the forms. Students interested in these services can submit an intake form on their website. 

DACA Renewal Fee Assistance (Grant) – This opportunity is a partnership between TheDream.US and the Mission Asset Fund (MAF) that provides current TD.US scholars with a grant that will cover your DACA renewal fees. Students who receive these funds do not need to pay this money back. You need to apply for this grant before you apply to renew your DACA. Ensure that you are submitting your renewal forms 120-150 days before your DACA expires. Ensure that you are applying for MAF funds before the 120-150 days, and ensure your DACA renewal is ready to submit when you apply for the MAF funds.  

Finding Your Community

Follow the Undocumented Student Program Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn about updates, events, and opportunities for TD.US scholars.  

Follow Dreamer’s Club Dreamer’s Club provides support and resources for undocumented and DACA students. Our members come from all walks of life but as a club we are all here to support each other. Follow on Instagram and NSC Be Engaged to learn about upcoming meetings.  

BeEngaged: BeEngaged is your one-stop resource for student involvement. Log in with your NSC credentials and explore events and student organizations that you want to be a part of! 

Careers & Professional Development

NSC Career Services By scheduling a virtual career advising appointment, students and alumni can get assistance with: Major/Career Exploration, Resume/Cover Letter Assistance, Job Search Assistance, Internship Search Assistance, Graduate/Professional School Assistance, and more! This is open to all students, including students without work authorization. To schedule an appointment visit their website linked above. 

ITIN Assistance– TheDream.US has a website dedicated to providing resources for obtaining an ITIN for undocumented students. Visit them to learn more about their upcoming workshops, basics of using an ITIN, and much more! 

Teacher Licensing for Undocumented Students– The UndocuTeacher Resource Guide is a website and guide that provides step by step directions to getting your teacher’s license as an undocumented student (with or without DACA). 

Community Resources

Advocacy

CARE Center The Care Center offers confidential virtual support services, holistic healing workshops, campus education and awareness events to members of the UNLV, NSC, and CSN communities impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, family violence, and/or stalking. The CARE Center provides services to NSC and UNLV students. 

Health & Wellness

Immigrants Rising Wellness Groups– Immigrants Rising’s Virtual Wellness Gatherings help undocumented young people stay grounded and connected to one another. Led by Liliana Campos, Immigrants Rising’s Mental Health Advocate, these virtual gatherings convene experienced facilitators—psychologists, coaches, and traditional healers—to guide undocumented young people through educational materials and interactive activities. 

CARE Center The Care Center offers confidential virtual support services, holistic healing workshops, campus education and awareness events to members of the UNLV, NSC, and CSN communities impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, family violence, and/or stalking.  

Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada- VMSN is a non profit organization in Las Vegas that provides free medical care, dental care, and prescription support to children and adults without health insurance, including undocumented immigrants. To become a patient, please visit their website and learn about the process or contact Karla Sarmiento, Social Services Coordinator at ksarmiento@vmsn.org. 

Nevada Health Centers Nevada Health Centers are located across Nevada with multiple locations in Las Vegas. They offer medical services for anybody regardless of immigration status and provide low-cost services to patients without health insurance. Use this website to find a clinic near you.   

First Person Care Clinic– This clinic provides low-cost services to individuals without health insurance, regardless of their status.  

UNLV Dental School  The dental school at UNLV is usually less expensive than a standard dentist and you don’t need insurance. Procedures that require multiple appointments for completion such as crowns, bridges, and dentures may be paid in installments. The first step to becoming a patient at UNLV School of Dental Medicine is to schedule a screening appointment, which will help determine if your needs are a suitable match for our student doctors. 

Submitting Immunization Records– You can visit SNHD to request access to your digital records for immunizations taken within the Southern Nevada Health District. To learn more about submitting these immunizations for NSC visit the link above. 

Low Cost Dental Clinics– Find low cost dental clinics on this website. These organizations provide low cost services and don’t consider immigration status or health insurance. 

EyeCare for Kids Vision Support– This organization provides $50 eye exams for adults and a free pair of glasses. Add-ons to glasses cost extra. Patient does not need to provide proof of income. Patient must set up an appointment by calling 702-727-3525.  

 

Legal Assistance

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (LACSN)- LACSN provides free DACA renewal forms assistance, advance parole consultations, and legal screenings if an individual is interested in learning if they have any immigration relief options to legalize their status. In order to receive assistance please call Angie Corona at 702-386-1473 and let her know what type of legal support you need. If Angie does not answer, leave a voicemail with your name and phone number. This way she can call you back within 24 hours. If you don’t leave a voicemail, she will not be able to call you back.  

Advance Parole for DACA Recipients–  If you’re interested in applying for advanced parole to travel outside of the United States with your DACA, review this informational guide from Immigrants Rising to see if it is right for you. If you decide you want to apply, please be sure to get in contact with a legal service provider.  

Immigrant Home Foundation– The Immigrant Home Foundation provides DACA renewal assistance for a fee, please ask about their rates. This organization also provides free consultations for advance parole for DACA recipients to travel outside of the country. 

Advance Parole Assistance in Las Vegas– The Immigrant Home Foundation helps DACA recipients interested in traveling outside the country through Advance Parole. The IHF charges $400 for services in addition to the $575 USCIS application fee. Appointments are not needed, simply bring your DACA documentation and permit.  

Immigrants Rising Advance Parole Guide- This is an amazing guide with step by step information, disclosure of risks, testimonies from people who have traveled with AP and much more! 

Dreamers2Gether Inc- Instagram- they post reels an d content about their experiences with AP. 

Career & Income

Spark through Immigrants Rising– Everyone, regardless of immigration status, can make money by building their own businesses and working for themselves. We’re here to show you how to generate income through entrepreneurship and freelancing. See below for tools to help you get your #UndocuHustle on!  

ITIN Assistance– TheDream.US has a website dedicated to providing resources for obtaining an ITIN for undocumented students. Visit them to learn more about their upcoming workshops, basics of using an ITIN, and much more! 

Dress for Success of Southern Nevada– The organization assists local women in the Las Vegas valley and students by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help them thrive in work and life. Sign up here: www.bit.ly/DressforSuccessNSC  

Information for Faculty & Staff

Committees

Serving Undocumented Students Subcommittee

The Serving Undocumented Students Subcommittee operates under the NSC Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce (DITF) with the goal of providing a network of support for undocumented and DACA students on campus. To join the subcommittee, contact mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu.

NSHE All Access Committee

The mission of the NSHE All Access Coalition (NSHE AAC) is to build a comprehensive, state-wide support system for immigrant students who are undocumented, including recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In order to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates, the NSHE AAC works to implement practical, research-informed, institutionalized and systemic policies and to provide tangible resources and on-campus support. By sharing information and collaborating, the NSHE AAC is able to guide best-practices, impact equity and intervene when necessary to advocate with and for student needs. To join, contact mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu.

Syllabus Statement

The following undocumented student support syllabus statement may be modified and included on your syllabi.

Undocumented Student Support
Immigration is a complex phenomenon with broad impact—those who are directly affected by it, as well as those who are indirectly affected by their relationships with family members, friends, and loved ones. If your immigration status presents obstacles to engaging in specific activities or fulfilling specific course criteria, please request support from the NSC Undocumented Student Program (USP). USP offers support services and coordinates resource access for undocumented students (with and without DACA) as well as students from mixed-status families. To learn more, visit nsc.edu/undocumented.

Adapted from The University of Utah Dream Center.

UndocuAlly Training

The Undocumented Student Program (USP) is proud to to host UndocuAlly Training for faculty, staff, and administration in order to encourage the development of a safe and welcoming campus for undocumented students.

UndocuAlly Training: Careers & Professional Licensing for Undocumented Students

November 3, 2022 | 10am – 12pm | Zoom

Join this UndocuAlly Training for staff & faculty, focused on empowering undocumented and DACA students in pursuing their career, graduate school, and professional licensing goals! We’ll be joined by Career Services to discuss life-after-college opportunities for undocumented students. Register today!

Request an UndocuAlly Workshop
To learn more about UndocuAlly Training or to request a training for your office or department, please email mariana.sarmiento@nsc.edu.