Washington University of St Louis

Student Life

• How often does your office receive applications from undocumented students?: We receive applications from students who are undocumented every application cycle.
• Does your school allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers onto campus without a warrant?: No, WashU does not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on to campus without a warrant.
• Are there organized groups or clubs comprised of or advocating for undocumented students in your school?: With more than 400+ student clubs and organizations for students to participate in, there may be a club that exists but students are able to create their own clubs and organizations for students to join.
• Does the campus police enforce immigration law?: The primary role and responsibility of the Washington University Police Department (WUPD) is to maintain a safe learning environment. WUPD officers are visible, accessible and dedicated to their primary goal: making sure that every member of our community and our visitors feel safe on and around our campuses. As a matter of course, WUPD officers do not inquire about immigration status in carrying out their day-to-day responsibilities. they only will do so if related to criminal violations or threats of violent behavior. Further, WUPD does not detain individuals solely because of their immigration status. It is neither the university’s practice nor expectation that WUPD will function as an agent of the federal government in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. WUPD will of course comply with lawful subpoenas or other legal requirements.
• Does your school share student immigration status with ICE?: The university will zealously protect the privacy of confidential student information and will adhere to the privacy protections granted to our students by federal law. The university will not release information about immigration or citizenship status to third parties unless required by court order or other legal requirement.
• Does your school provide distance-learning options for deported students to complete their degrees?: The COVID-19 crisis has greatly improved the University"s ability to provide various instruction modes to students, including virtual. I am not sure what our current policies are but I do know that we have several resources that may provide deeper insight into our policies: Center for Diversity & Inclusion (314-935-7535) the Office for International Students and Scholars, (314-935-5910), and the Office of Scholar Programs (contact Julia Macias or call 314-935-8379).
• Does your school provide confidential legal support to students with immigration law questions and issues?: Through the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), the university will provide information and referral resources for undocumented students needing legal assistance.

Admissions Information

• Are undocumented students considered international or domestic?: Students who are undocumented will be considered as international students but the review process both domestic and international student is holistic and a students citizenship status will never be used as a measure of a students "worthiness" of admission.
• Are you need-blind for undocumented students?: We are need-aware for all applicants but we are an institution that is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for every student, including our undocumented students. Being need aware does not prevent us from making offers of admission to students who we feel would be great contributors to our community.
• Does your school provide merit aid specially for undocumented students?: Yes, Undocumented students are eligible for our Academic Divisional Scholarships as well as our Signature Scholarships. We do not have a specific scholarship exclusively for undocumented students.
• Is there a special contact point for undocumented students?: WashU students have an assigned admissions officer who is their point of contact and we value getting to know students name and story. A students admissions officer is their point of contact and will be their advocate in the committee review process.
• What other piece of advice would you give an undocumented student hoping for admission at your school?: I would share that students should feel comfortable sharing a bit of themselves with us. We take tremendous pride in the stories student share with us and build our class one student at a time. While we know that we cant admit every applicant, we appreciate the diversity that every story has as we build our community. The story telling aspect of the application process can look many different ways and we want students to know that their story is theirs to share and we value the time and effort they put into the process.
• Other admissions information: Students are free to disclose their status in a way that is comfortable for them. We care and respect their privacy and will never do anything to jeopardize a student in any way. Please refer to our policies toward undocumented students.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

• Are undocumented students eligible for need-based aid?: Undocumented students are eligible for need-based aid and can complete the CSS Profile (waivers are available if cost is a prohibitive).
• If need-based aid is not available, is there a feasible path undocumented students can take to pay for their education with stackable merit scholarships, loans and/or grants from your school?: Students are able to stack their outside scholarships up to the cost of attendance at at WashU.
• What would be the requirements for such scholarships and what would a student's chances of getting them?: Students are automatically considered for our academic scholarships at the time they submit their application for admission (based on the academic division that they select). Students can also apply for our three signature scholarships once a student has submitted their application for admission and received access to their WashU pathway (system that allows students to track their application status).
• Other financial aid information: To be considered for aid, students will need to apply using the CSS Profile which will help us get a sense of their family"s financial circumstances.

Other Information