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As an institution that strives to create an inclusive community,Chapman welcomes and embraces all students regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

Our mission provides a personalized education that leads to inquiring, ethical and productive lives as global citizens. We attract students, staff, and faculty from around the world and strongly value all that they bring to our community.

Therefore, we encourage all students who are ready to commit to higher learning to apply, regardless of immigration status or financial situation.

Applying for admission

All information submitted on an application for admission to Chapman is treated as confidential. Both Undocumented and DACA students should feel comfortable providing as much accurate information as possible in order to help our office understand their status.

To apply, simply review and follow our standard First-year Application Instructions or our Transfer Application Instructions.
All applicants must submit a Common Application.
The application process is the same for all applicants regardless of citizenship, country of residency or immigration status.

Reporting your citizenship status on your application

In order to accurately represent your citizenship status please complete the following steps when filling out the “Citizenship” section of your application:

Select your birth country/region/territory.
Write in your city of birth.
Select the number of years you have lived in the United States.
Select your citizenship status “DACA, undocumented, Deferred Enforced Departure, or Temporary Protected Status".

Valeria Delgado '24

DACA student

Valeria went from rubbing shoulders with members of Congress at the State of the Union to catching up on her coursework in a span of a few days. As a health sciences major and DACA recipient, she hopes her story encourages more people to support DACA.

Read Valeria's Story

Financing your education

We review all domestic students, including undocumented and DACA students, under the same need-blind policy.

Although undocumented students are not eligible to apply for federal aid, they are still eligible for Chapman awards, including merit-based scholarships, department aid, and limited need-based aid.

Undocumented and DACA students that reside in California may qualify to receive California Grant via the CA DREAM Act.

California Dream Act

The California Dream Act Application is used by undocumented students who meet the eligibility requirements of California Assembly Bill 540 and come from a lower-income household or qualify for need-based aid.

Any aid received can be used at eligible California public or private institutions. As you consider colleges, we encourage you to also apply for the California Dream Act.

Key California Dream Act Dates

October 1: Cal Grant GPA submission begins

Talk to your high school about submitting your GPA before March 2.
Online CA Dream Act Application available.
Get help at a Cash for College workshop in your area.

March 2: Priority financial-aid deadline for most colleges/universities; also deadline for Cal Grant application

(CA Dream Act Application + GPA).

If you or your school submits your certified GPA using your DACA SSN, include that DACA SSN on question #8 of your CA Dream Act application.
Better yet, submit a Non-SSN GPA to the CA Student Aid Commission.

California Dream Act Application Process and Eligibility

To apply, you must submit the following by March 2, 2025:

2024-2025 California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
Cal Grant GPA verification forms

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As noted on the California Student Aid Commission website, to be eligible for the Cal Grant through the California Dream Act, you must not be eligible to file the FAFSA and:

Have one of the three apply:
- You attended a California high school for three or more years, or
- You attained credits from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years attendance in California elementary schools, secondary schools, adult schools or a combination of those schools, or
- You attained credits at a California community college, or combination of the schools listed above.
Have one of the three apply:
- You graduated or will graduate from a California high school or equivalent by passing the General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) or California High School Proficiency (CHSPE), or
- You have or will have an associate degree from a California community college, or
- You have or will have fulfilled the minimum requirements to transfer from a California community college to a school in the California State University System or University of California (UC).
Be registered or currently enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education in California.
File an affidavit with your college stating that you will take action to legalize your immigration status as soon as you are eligible.
Not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.). Exceptions are U Visa holders and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Note that if you receive a merit scholarship from Chapman and a Cal Grant, then you may be eligible to receive the Chapman Grant as well.

Study abroad and away opportunities

Chapman promotes domestic educational opportunities for DACA recipients and students without legal documentation.

For more information regarding potential travel opportunities, visit the DACA & Undocumented Students Abroad page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Undocumented Students

If you can not find the answer to your question below, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or (714) 997-6711.

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Yes! All applicants are considered for admission as long as they turn in all required documents.

Undocumented and DACA students should follow the same application process as other first-year or transfer applicants.

For more information about Chapman University’s support for DACA students, please read a message from President Daniele Struppa on DACA.

Every applicant to Chapman is considered for a merit-based scholarship. Merit scholarships at Chapman range from $14,000 - $40,000 a year, and are based on your overall academic profile. This includes your recalculated admission GPA, the rigor of your academic curriculum and grade trends.
- If you are offered admission to Chapman University and deemed merit-eligible, you will receive your scholarship notification along with your admission decision.
Undocumented / DACA students are also eligible for scholarships on this compiled list from Immigrants Rising.
In addition to merit and outside scholarships, DACA and undocumented students are eligible for department aid and limited need-based aid.
- Undocumented and DACA students that reside in California may qualify to receive California Grant via the CA DREAM Act.

Your first point of contact should be the admission counselor assigned to your school group and territory. You can find your admission counselor here.

DACA students are eligible to work on-campus jobs since the program provides students with a social security number, making it legal to work in the U.S.

However, undocumented students without DACA are unable to work on-campus jobs because they do not have the proper work authorization.