DACA Recipients
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students are welcome to pursue admission and enrollment at Columbus State Community College. Our staff and faculty are committed to helping you attain your goals and want you to get a good start toward success.
Steps to Admission:
1. Complete the online Standard Application
- Be sure to check "Deferred Action" for your citizenship/immigration status.
2. To determine Ohio residency classification for tuition purposes, submit a copy of your I-797 Notice of Deferred Action (approval notice only) from USCIS to the International Student Services Office:
- You may email a scanned copy of your I-797 to iss@cscc.edu. Attach the document in PDF format and use your "first name", "last name" and "DACA" in the subject line for faster processing. Please allow 5 business days for processing after submitting your I-797 Notice of Deferred Action for admission.
- If your Deferred Action has already expired, you can be admitted to Columbus State Community College, however, you will not be considered eligible for Ohio residency classification and your tuition fees will be calculated at the international student tuition rate. See “Additional Information/Resources” below for tuition rates.
Steps to enrollment (What to do after being admitted to CSCC?)
1. Take a Placement Test and/or Submit Test Scores and/or Transcripts
The placement test determines the appropriate course level placement for first term students. You may be exempt from taking some or all sections of the test if you have qualifying ACT, AP, or CLEP scores or have transcripts from another college or university. Click here for details.
2. Complete an Orientation or New Student Workshop
If you've already applied for admission and completed placement testing, your next step is to attend either an Orientation or a New Student Workshop. There, you'll register for your first class, discuss financial aid options, learn about campus resources, and get ready to succeed in college. For more information, email orientation@cscc.edu
Additional Information/Resources
Financial Aid information
DACA students are not eligible for any federal government financial aid programs (i.e. Pell Grants, student loans, Federal Work Study). However, you are encouraged to apply for scholarships and College-work-study employment opportunities on campus. You should also explore sources for outside funding that do not require U. S. citizenship, such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) , and Latino Dollars for Scholars.
Fields of study
Please be aware that DACA students may face barriers in completing certain programs of study. For example, programs that require a practicum or licensure may be restricted based on Ohio law to include only U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Once you have been accepted by the college, contact your academic advisor to discuss your possibilities.