✦ C.A.N. works to make higher education accessible and equitable for immigrants. With operational hubs in New Jersey, New York City, and Washington, D.C., we defend our civil rights and dignity through advocacy, narrative change, and policy reform—challenging criminalization and advancing a decolonial vision of education, borders, and belonging.
We empower undocumented students and BIPOC youth to dream beyond imposed limits — and to organize those dreams into reality.
Our mentorship program connects undocumented and BIPOC students with experienced volunteer mentors who guide them through the college application process and beyond. We equip students with the tools, confidence, and community to succeed.
Online, we raise collective consciousness, share critical resources and scholarships, and mobilize young people to become informed, empowered leaders.
Undocumented students and students of color face systemic barriers in higher education.
We organize, advocate, and fight to dismantle those barriers.
Students of color and first-generation low-income students often emerge from communities grappling with systemic disadvantages and generational racial trauma. These challenges include limited access to quality education, economic disparities, language barriers, and discriminatory policies.
Historically, the U.S. public school system has been influenced by white supremacy and exclusionary practices, perpetuating inequities that significantly undermine students' preparedness for college.
Undocumented and DACAmented students face even greater obstacles in their educational journeys. Comprising less than 2% of higher education enrollment in the U.S., they encounter limited funding opportunities and face barriers from numerous universities, fellowships, and scholarship programs due to their citizenship status. The pervasive fear of deportation adds a layer of complexity to their pursuit of education, while the absence of U.S. citizenship creates substantial systemic hurdles.
These realities highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reform in both the education and immigration systems to foster a more inclusive and equitable society. Advocacy for policy changes is essential to dismantle these barriers and create pathways for all students to thrive.
Since the recent overturn of affirmative action, universities have experienced a decline in enrollment among Black and Brown students. Students of color and those from working-class backgrounds encounter significant barriers to accessing higher education. Factors contributing to these enrollment gaps include limited financial resources, insufficient information about available opportunities, inadequate access to SAT/ACT preparation, language barriers, and bias in admissions processes.
Additionally, the college application process can be particularly complex for undocumented students. They often face requirements for documentation and admission criteria that can be challenging to meet. Many undocumented students also encounter restrictions on their ability to enroll in certain colleges and universities.
Financial constraints can significantly affect students, limiting their ability to cover tuition, textbooks, housing, travel, food, and other essential expenses. For many first-generation students, accessing federal and state financial aid is particularly challenging due to systemic barriers, such as the complicated application process and a lack of guidance. The complexity of bureaucracies and language barriers further exacerbate the inaccessibility of these vital resources.
Undocumented students are required to complete the FAFSA during the college application process but are ineligible for federal financial aid. However, at least 18 states provide state financial aid to students who meet specific criteria. Additionally, most scholarships require U.S. residency or citizenship, which excludes millions of undocumented students from merit-based and diversity scholarship opportunities.
We welcome donations to cover these pressing costs for students in our community, including DACA renewal fees to safeguard DACA recipients from deportation.
Higher education institutions and campus environments often perpetuate biases, micro-aggressions, racial trauma, and discrimination that impact first-generation, low-income, Black, Indigenous, and students of color.
As former student activists, we empower current students to confront bias incidents, express their safety concerns, prioritize their well-being, and advocate for policies and practices that foster inclusivity and equality on campus. Many students of color experience a sense of isolation or marginalization in predominantly white institutions. Cultural, social, and economic differences, along with unfamiliarity with the college environment, can complicate their social, financial, and academic adaptation.
By sharing our stories, our community creates a supportive space where students from all backgrounds can feel seen and heard, fostering connections that help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. This sense of belonging not only enhances their college experience but also encourages resilience and empowerment as they navigate their educational journeys.
We are confronting institutional oppression and building systems rooted in justice, dignity, and belonging.
College Access for Non-citizens is a non-partisan, grassroots, youth-led nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)), committed to dismantling barriers in higher education.