As the 2024 re-election campaign of former President Donald Trump approaches, concerns are mounting about the potential risks associated with submitting the Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA). Students, particularly those whose parents are undocumented immigrants, are increasingly anxious about the possibility that their families’ immigration status could be exposed through the FAFSA process. This growing uncertainty comes amid fears that information shared on the application could be used by government agencies in ways that were previously not considered.
The FAFSA is a crucial document for students applying for financial aid for college or graduate school. It requires detailed information, including parents’ Social Security Numbers (SSNs). In cases where parents do not have SSNs, applicants are instructed to enter ‘0’ instead. This is where potential issues arise. Without proper safeguards, the entry of a ‘0’ could inadvertently reveal the immigration status of the student’s parents, exposing them as undocumented.
While the U.S. Department of Education assures that it does not share FAFSA information with agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the apprehension persists. Students and advocates are particularly concerned that under the Trump administration, which has previously emphasized mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, FAFSA data could be repurposed to target undocumented families if Trump is re-elected.
The growing anxiety has prompted student advocacy groups, such as the National College Access Network (NCAN), to voice their concerns. NCAN has pointed out that while the Higher Education Act protects FAFSA information from being used for anything other than determining federal financial aid eligibility, there is no guarantee that this will remain the case under a future administration. The organization has raised alarms about the potential erosion of these protections and the broader implications for students and families.
Similarly, the National Association of College Admission Counsellors (NACAC) acknowledged that concerns about the exposure of immigration status through FAFSA submissions are not new. However, there is a notable increase in worry that the next administration may exploit FAFSA data for purposes beyond financial aid, such as immigration enforcement. Despite these concerns, NACAC also emphasized that there is currently no evidence to suggest that FAFSA information is being used for anything other than its intended purpose.
The uncertainty surrounding the FAFSA process is affecting students’ decisions on whether to submit their applications. High school guidance counsellors in areas with large immigrant populations, such as Los Angeles, have reported that some students are hesitating to complete their FAFSA forms out of fear that their families’ undocumented status may be exposed. This growing hesitation is not just about financial aid, but also the broader implications for families living in fear of potential deportation.
As the debate continues, it remains unclear how the Trump administration, if re-elected, might handle the privacy protections currently in place for FAFSA submissions. What is certain is that the growing anxiety surrounding this issue is putting additional stress on immigrant families and their children, who are simply trying to access higher education and build a better future.