Criteria for Admission As DACA Recipient

Western New Mexico University will accept DACA recipients who meet the following qualifications:

• Non-U.S. citizens currently in the United States who do not hold an immigration or student visa
• Brought to the U.S. by parents or other relatives and were under the age 16 at the time of arrival
• Must have filed DACA paperwork with the U.S. Government: Request or renew DACA here.

Apply to WNMU

1. DACA recipients should apply to Western New Mexico University like any other student at wnmu.edu/applynow.
2. When the applicant reaches Step 2, Personal Information, they should answer the question “Citizenship?” by selecting the option “Undocumented Resident.”
3. The applicant should complete all remaining sections of the application accurately.

Tuition

New Mexico Residents

Upon admission to Western New Mexico University, DACA students who self-report and prove residency in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, or El Paso, Texas, are eligible for in-state tuition. All DACA students with an Employment Authorization Document will need to submit a copy of the EAD.
Learn more here.

Non New Mexico Residents

All DACA students depending on your place of residency, may qualify for out-of-state tuition discounts. WNMU offers waivers for our students from Arizona, Colorado and El Paso, Texas. These waivers will give you in-state tuition rates. There are a limited number of waivers and a priority list.
Our tuition calculator may provide an estimate of your potential costs.

Financial Aid

DACA students are not eligible for Federal Student Aid but may be eligible to receive state, institutional, and private scholarships to fund their education. All students may apply for any WNMU scholarship they think they might be eligible to receive. Click here for more information about tuition savings.

Scholarships Available to DACA Recipients

• WNMU Admissions Scholarships
• New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship – DACA students who are recent graduates of a New Mexico high school and plan to attend full time may be eligible for the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship and Early Freshman Scholarship with a proof of New Mexico residency.
• New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship – DACA students of any age who are New Mexico residents and working toward their first undergraduate degree may be eligible to have tuition and fees covered through the state’s Opportunity Scholarship.
• Competitive Scholarship – Western New Mexico University offers a Competitive Scholarship which allows qualifying undergraduate students to attend at in-state rates regardless of which U.S. state they are residents of.
• Foundation Scholarships – Students protected under the DACA program are eligible to apply to any WNMU Foundation Scholarship, including those designated specifically for non-U.S. residents who are protected under the program.
• Work-study – DACA students at WNMU are eligible for student worker positions that are supported with institutional funding. However, DACA students are not eligible for Federal or State work-study positions.

Other Resources

• Scholarships A-Z
• United We Dream
• CHCI Resources for Undocumented Students
• Educators for Fair Consideration
• Latino College Dollars
• National Education Association
• Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives
• Scholarships for Undocumented Students
• Scholarships Open to Students Regardless of Immigration Status
• MALDEF

Not a DACA recipient?

Admissions info for other noncitizen students

Those who do not qualify for protection under DACA will still be accepted for admitted to Western New Mexico University and will be considered international students. Click here to learn more about the admissions process for international students.