LegalBridge Solutions

If you are a U.S. citizen student with undocumented parents, you may have heard conflicting information about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many families in Chicago's Polish, Ukrainian, and Slovak communities have asked us: "Is it safe for my undocumented parents to help me complete the FAFSA?"

This article provides factual information based on official sources from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about your family's financial aid options.

The Short Answer

Yes, U.S. citizen students with undocumented parents can and should complete the FAFSA. Your parents do not need a Social Security Number to help you complete the form, and your eligibility for federal financial aid is not affected by your parents' immigration status.

According to NASFAA, "Every U.S. citizen and eligible non-citizen can apply for federal financial aid, no matter your parent or spouse's citizenship status." Completing the FAFSA is essential not only for federal aid but often required to access state, institutional, and private scholarships that can make college affordable for your family.

Key Facts About FAFSA and Undocumented Parents

1. Your Parents Do NOT Need a Social Security Number

One of the most common misconceptions is that parents must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to complete the FAFSA. This is not true.

According to official guidance from NASFAA, contributors (including parents) do not need to have an SSN to fill out their portion of the FAFSA. Here is how undocumented parents can complete the form:

Online FAFSA: Check the box that says "I do not have an SSN"
Paper FAFSA: Enter all zeros (000-00-0000) in the SSN field

Your parents can also use a P.O. box for the mailing address if they prefer, as long as it is an address where they can reliably receive important documents throughout the year.

2. FAFSA Data is Protected by Federal Law

Many families worry about what happens to the personal information they provide on the FAFSA. The good news is that FAFSA data is protected by two important federal laws:

Privacy Act of 1974: Governs how federal agencies collect, use, and share personal information
Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Protects the privacy of student education records

According to both NASFAA and NILC, these laws ensure that FAFSA information is only used to assess financial aid eligibility and govern how institutions can use FAFSA data. These protections apply equally to both paper and online FAFSA forms.

3. Historical Safety Record: No Immigration Enforcement from FAFSA

Perhaps the most important fact for families to know is the historical safety record of the FAFSA. According to NILC, "As far as we know, a parent or other contributor has not been targeted as a result of filing a FAFSA."

NASFAA confirms this, stating: "We are not aware of any cases where a parent or contributor has faced immigration enforcement due to FAFSA submission."

The information provided on the FAFSA has not been used for immigration purposes in the past. This is a strong historical safety record that should provide reassurance to families considering whether to complete the form.

4. Your Eligibility is NOT Affected by Your Parents' Status

Your parents' immigration status does not determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, you have the right to apply for federal student aid regardless of your parents' citizenship or immigration status.

Without completing the FAFSA, you will not be considered for:

Federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395 for the 2025-2026 award year)
Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
Federal Work-Study programs
Many state and institutional scholarships that require FAFSA completion

For many students, federal financial aid makes the difference between attending college and not being able to afford higher education at all.

Understanding the Concerns: A Balanced Perspective

While the historical safety record is strong, it is important to provide a complete and honest picture. Both NASFAA and NILC acknowledge that "there is a possibility that current or future administrations could attempt to use this data for immigration enforcement."

However, both organizations emphasize that:

There are currently no specific plans to use FAFSA data for immigration enforcement
This is a theoretical concern, not a current reality
The legal protections (Privacy Act and FERPA) remain in place

NILC notes that this concern is most relevant to first-time FAFSA filers whose family members have not filed a FAFSA in the past. If your family has already completed the FAFSA in previous years, your information is already with the Department of Education, and reapplying does not create additional risk.

What This Means for Your Family

Every family must make their own informed decision based on their unique circumstances. Here are the key considerations:

Benefits of Completing FAFSA: - Access to thousands of dollars in federal grants and loans - Eligibility for state and institutional scholarships - Ability to afford college without taking on private debt - Strong historical safety record with no known cases of immigration enforcement

Concerns to Consider: - Theoretical possibility of future policy changes (though no current plans exist) - Personal comfort level with providing family information - Individual family immigration circumstances

Many families in mixed-status households choose to complete the FAFSA because the educational and financial benefits for their U.S. citizen children outweigh the theoretical risks, especially given the strong historical safety record and federal legal protections.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete FAFSA Without Parent SSN

If your family decides to complete the FAFSA, here is how to do it when your parents do not have Social Security Numbers:

Step 1: Go to studentaid.gov and create a StudentAid.gov account for yourself (the student). You will need your SSN.

Step 2: Start your FAFSA application. When asked about parent information, you will need to provide: - Parent names - Parent dates of birth - Parent mailing address (can be a P.O. box) - Parent income information (if they file taxes)

Step 3: When the form asks for parent Social Security Numbers: - Online form: Check the box "I do not have an SSN" - Paper form: Enter 000-00-0000

Step 4: Your parents do NOT need to create a StudentAid.gov account if they do not have an SSN. They can complete their portion of the FAFSA by answering the parent questions within your application.

Step 5: Submit your FAFSA and check for confirmation. You should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few days.

Step 6: Follow up with your college's financial aid office to ensure they received your FAFSA and to learn about additional aid opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will completing the FAFSA put my parents at risk of deportation?

A: According to NASFAA and NILC, there are no known cases of parents being targeted for immigration enforcement as a result of FAFSA submission. FAFSA data is protected by federal privacy laws and has not been used for immigration purposes historically.

Q: Can I use a P.O. box for my parents' address on the FAFSA?

A: Yes. Families can use a P.O. box for the mailing address as long as it is an address where you can reliably receive important documents throughout the year.

Q: What if my parents file taxes with an ITIN instead of an SSN?

A: Your parents can report their income on the FAFSA even if they file taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The FAFSA does not require parents to have an SSN to report income.

Q: Will my college know my parents are undocumented?

A: The FAFSA does not ask about immigration status for parents. Colleges will only see the information you provide, which includes income and household size but not immigration status.

Important Disclaimer

This article provides educational information based on official sources and is not legal advice. LegalBridge Solutions is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Immigration law and federal policies can change, and every family's situation is unique.

If you need personalized legal advice about your immigration status or concerns, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney. For questions about financial aid eligibility and the FAFSA process, contact your school's financial aid office or the Federal Student Aid Help Center.

Conclusion

For U.S. citizen students with undocumented parents, the FAFSA represents an important opportunity to access federal financial aid that can make college affordable. The historical safety record is strong, with no known cases of immigration enforcement resulting from FAFSA submission, and federal privacy laws protect the information you provide.

If you are a student in Chicago's Polish, Ukrainian, or Slovak community and need help navigating the FAFSA process, LegalBridge Solutions is here to support you with bilingual assistance and expert guidance.

Need Help with FAFSA?

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References: 1. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). "FAFSA Information for Students from Families of Mixed Immigration Statuses." March 21, 2025. 2. National Immigration Law Center (NILC). "Key Points to Know About FAFSA Data Security." November 24, 2025.

FAFSA for U.S. Citizen Students with Undocumented Parents: What You Need to Know