# Admission information for DACA/undocumented applicants

**Source**: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/information-for-daca
**Parent**: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/after-you-are-admitted

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- [Email](mailto:askabuckeye@osu.edu "Email us: askabuckeye@osu.edu")

# Admission information for DACA/undocumented applicants

***Information last updated July 2025***

The information on this page applies to you if you've been approved for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

> Ohio State supports our DACA students unequivocally, and we are committed to your success.

## [Applying](#collapseApp)

You'll follow the same steps as other applicants, but there are a few things to be aware of. (If you are an undocumented applicant, email
[int.undergrad@osu.edu](mailto:int.undergrad@osu.edu) for more information about how to submit an application.)

1. You should apply as an international student. Determine if you are applying as an
   **international first-year applicant** (you have taken no college courses after graduating from high school) or an
   **international transfer applicant** (you have taken college courses after high school; dual enrollment credit earned through high school does not apply), then follow the
   [step-by-step admission instructions](http://undergrad.osu.edu/apply) for that student type.
2. You may be eligible for an
   [application fee waiver](https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/fee-waivers) if you meet one of the criteria.
3. Have
   **ACT or SAT** scores sent to Ohio State directly from the testing agency.

- Freshman applicants: Students who finished high school two or more years prior to their intended term of enrollment are not required to submit an ACT or SAT score.
- Transfer student applicants: If you have earned ANY post-high school college credit, you do not need to submit an ACT or SAT score.

4. Some undergraduate programs at Ohio State have
   **competitive criteria for direct enrollment into the college or major**, and students may be admitted to the university without being enrolled in a specific academic program. Learn more about
   [enrollment criteria for first-year students](http://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/who-gets-in/enrollment-criteria)  or
   [enrollment criteria for transfer students](http://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/transfer/admission-criteria/enrollment-criteria).
   \
5. If there are items on your application checklist that you're unsure about, contact us at
   [int.undergrad@osu.edu](mailto:int.undergrad@osu.edu), and be sure to identify yourself as a DACA student.\

## [Application tips](#collapseTips)

### First-year applicants

- International freshman applicants complete the Common Application, an application platform offered by over 1,000 colleges and universities worldwide.
- Complete the citizenship questions on the Common Application to the best of your ability. Be sure to accurately list your country of citizenship and place of birth.
- The Ohio State supplement to the Common Application will ask if you are an international student —
  **be sure to mark "No**."
- The Ohio State supplement to the Common Application will ask if you are a DACA student —
  **be sure to mark "Yes**."

### Transfer applicants

- International transfer applicants use an Ohio State-specific application.
  \
- The following citizenship questions are asked of you:

- **Country of Citizenship:** Make sure you accurately list your country of citizenship. Do not select the United States since, as a DACA recipient, you are not a U.S. citizen.
- **Country of Birth:** List the country where you were born.
  \
- **City of Birth:** List the city where you were born. If you're unsure, list the capital city of the country where you were born.
  \
- Under
  **Citizenship Status** select “None of the above.” This will trigger another question to appear. From that menu, select the option that applies to you: “I currently have DACA status” or “I am currently in the process of receiving DACA status" or "None of the above."
- Under the
  **Address Outside the USA** section, select "No" to requesting a I-20 or DS-2019. Leave the country blank.
  \

- Answer all other questions to the best of your ability.
- Even if you've earned more than 30 hours of post-secondary work after you graduated from high school, you should submit your high school
  **transcript**.

## [Other requirements](#collapseOth)

- Your application may be flagged for
  **proof of English language proficiency**. After you have submitted your high school transcript (yes, even transfer students should submit their high school transcript), if the requirement is still on your checklist, contact us at
  [int.undergrad@osu.edu](mailto:int.undergrad@osu.edu) to have it removed (be sure to identify yourself as a DACA student).
  \
- If you're asked to submit a
  **bank statement, Visa Request Form or passport,** please contact us at
  [int.undergrad@osu.edu](mailto:int.undergrad@osu.edu) so we can get these documents waived (be sure to identify yourself as a DACA student).

## [Residency and eligibility for financial aid](#collapseExp)

If you have current or pending DACA status and you grew up in Ohio, you may be eligible for Ohio residency.

- **Eligibility for in-state tuition**\
  If you apply using the instructions above under Applying, we'll automatically send your file to our residency office to be reviewed for residency. You will also be directed to submit your I-797 notice of DACA application or approval. If you meet the criteria, the residency office will designate you as a "resident for tuition purposes."
  \
- **Submitting your residency documents**\
  It is very important that you submit your high school transcript, even if you are a transfer applicant. This is one of the documents used to determine Ohio residency. If you are admitted, you will be asked to upload your I-797 notice of DACA application or approval.
  \
- ****Eligibility** for merit scholarships** 
  \
  At this time, merit scholarships are only for freshman applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.\
- ****Eligibility** for Pell Grant and associated programs at Ohio State** 
  \
  The Pell Grant is federal financial aid that is awarded to eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

## [Regional campuses](#collapseBen)

If you're designated as an Ohio resident for tuition purposes, you may be eligible to be considered for a regional campus.

### First-year applicants

If you'd like to be considered for admission to a regional campus, follow the guidelines under Applying above. Note that your application will be for the
**Columbus campus**.

Once you've applied, you have two options:

1. **Contact us after you've applied:** After receiving confirmation that your application has been received, contact us at
   [int.undergrad@osu.edu](mailto:int.undergrad@osu.edu) and request that your application be switched to a regional campus (be sure to identify yourself as a DACA student). At this time, we may request residency information in order to make the switch.
2. **Contact us after you receive your admission decision:** No matter what decision you received, contact us at
   [int.undergrad@osu.edu](mailto:int.undergrad@osu.edu) to let us know you wish to be considered for a regional campus. Be sure to identify yourself as a DACA student.

### Transfer applicants

When you submit your application to transfer to Ohio State, you will need to select the Columbus campus. If you would prefer a different campus, please contact us at 614-292-3980 or
[int.undergrad@osu.edu](mailto:int.undergrad@osu.edu) after you submit your application (be sure to identify yourself as a DACA student). Note that as a transfer applicant, denial to one campus precludes you from being considered for another campus.

## [Resources](#collapseTran)

Whether you have questions or want to explore, you may find the following resources helpful:

- [Regional campuses](https://undergrad.osu.edu/regional-campuses)
- [Student Advocacy Center](https://advocacy.osu.edu/)\
  \