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Resources for Non-US Citizens

Non-U.S. Citizen Students

Pikes Peak State College is an open-door institution that allows any student to attend, regardless of their citizenship. We do not ask about immigration status, but we do ask about citizenship status. This helps determine tuition costs, discounts, financial aid, and scholarships you may be eligible for. Learn about the various statuses and what they entail below.

More About Common Statuses

You have an I-551 or I-151 form, a permanent resident card, also known as a green card. On the admission application, you should select Permanent Resident as your citizenship status. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), and federal financial aid.

You are a U.S. national, which includes natives of American Samoa or Swains Island. On the admission application, you should select Other Non-U.S. Citizen as your citizenship status. It is not mandatory to enter a social security number, although we recommend entering it if you have one. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), and federal financial aid.

You have an I-94 arrival/departure record showing "refugee" as your status category. On the admission application, you should select Refugee/Asylee as your citizenship status. It is not mandatory to enter a social security number, although we recommend entering it if you have one. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), and federal financial aid.

You have an I-94 arrival/departure record showing "asylum granted" as your status category. On the admission application, you should select Refugee/Asylee as your citizenship status. It is not mandatory to enter a social security number, although we recommend entering it if you have one. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), and federal financial aid. If you are in the process of applying for asylum and it has not yet been approved, you do not qualify for federal financial aid.

You have an I-94 arrival/departure record showing "parolee," you have been admitted on parole for at least one year, and you can provide evidence from USCIS that you are in the U.S. for a non-temporary purpose. On the admission application, you should select Other Non-U.S. Citizen as your citizenship status. It is not mandatory to enter a social security number, although we recommend entering it if you have one. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), and federal financial aid.

You have a visitor visa and are visiting for professional, medical, or tourist purposes. University studies are not among the activities permitted with this visa.

You have or want a student visa. You are/want to be an international student (F-1), or you are the spouse or child of the international student (F-2). If you do not have the visa yet, on the admission application, you should select Seeking Student Visa as your citizenship status. If you already have the visa and want to transfer from another university, you should select Current Visa Holder. This status does not qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund, or financial aid. Contact International@pikespeak.edu with any questions.

You have a J-1 or J-2 visa. On the admission application, you should select Current Visa Holder as your citizenship status. Then you can indicate the visa you have. This status typically does not qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), or financial aid. Contact residency@pikespeak.edu with any questions.

You are the fiancé or spouse of a U.S. citizen and are coming to the U.S. to stay and live. On the admission application, you should select Current Visa Holder as your citizenship status. Then you can indicate the visa you have. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition and the College Opportunity Fund (COF).

You are in the U.S. to work temporarily.. On the admission application, you should select Current Visa Holder as your citizenship status. Then you can indicate the visa you have. Depending on the visa, you may qualify for in-state tuition and the College Opportunity Fund (COF). Contact residency@pikespeak.edu to learn more.

You are in the U.S. for a vocational program. Currently, PPSC does not sponsor M visas or accept transfers from another college. However, you may take classes as a guest student if your M-1 visa is maintained by another college. This status does not qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), or financial aid.

You are in the U.S. to work temporarily in a religious capacity, or you are the spouse or child of the worker. On the admission application, you should select Current Visa Holder as your citizenship status. Then you can indicate the visa you have. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition and the College Opportunity Fund (COF).

You have a T-1 visa or one of your parents has a T nonimmigrant status application (victims of human trafficking). On the admission application, you should select Current Visa Holder as your citizenship status. Then you can indicate the visa you have. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund (COF), and federal financial aid.

You have a U visa for being a victim or dependent of a crime victim. On the admission application, you should select Current Visa Holder as your citizenship status. Then you can indicate the visa you have. This status may also qualify you for in-state tuition and the College Opportunity Fund (COF).

Even if you are in the process of applying for your immigration status, or if you do not have a visa or any documentation, you can study at Pikes Peak State College. On the admission application, you should select Other Non-U.S. Citizen as your citizenship status. It is not mandatory to enter a social security number, although we recommend entering it if you have one. This status may qualify you for in-state tuition and the College Opportunity Fund (COF). If you have graduated from a Colorado high school or obtained your GED from Colorado, you may qualify for COF and state financial aid (CASFA).
Centennial Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

Pikes Peak State College has two tuition rates: one for Colorado residents (in-state) and one for Colorado non-residents (out-of-state). To be considered a Colorado resident, a student (or the student’s parent/legal guardian if the student is under 23 by the start of the term), must have lived in the state for the immediate 12 months prior to the start date of the semester and intend to stay for the near future. Active-duty military, veterans, reserves and national guard and their dependents are eligible without meeting the 12-month requirement. For other exceptions, see the Residency page.

Students who do not qualify as residents are those who have not lived in the state for the 12 months prior to the start of the semester. Certain visa types (such as the student visa, F-1) are not eligible for state residency.

The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is a tuition discount provided by the state of Colorado to resident students. The COF amount is subject to yearly changes by the state of Colorado.

This fund is available to students who:

  • Qualify as a resident of the state of Colorado – that is, you’ve lived in Colorado for at least 12 months, or if you are under 23 years old and single, your parents or guardians have lived here during that time.
  • Exceptions: if you are military, veteran, or a dependent, you automatically qualify as a resident.

The quickest way to confirm if you qualify is to apply. It’s free and takes about 10 minutes! You will get a decision in two business days.

For any questions about residency, contact residency@pikespeak.edu. For any questions about COF, contact COF@pikespeak.edu. Keep in mind, you may have to submit documentation to qualify.

Federal financial aid is available to citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens who have a high school diploma or GED. Learn which non-citizens are eligible.

Receiving federal financial aid starts with submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid is based on the student’s household income and is offered in various forms:

  • Federal grants (money you don’t have to pay back)
  • State grants (money you don’t have to pay back)
  • Loans (money you have to pay back over time)
  • Work-study jobs (part-time job while you study)

Meet with a bilingual financial aid advisor

You can complete the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) if you can’t submit the FAFSA. Financial aid is based on the student’s household income and is offered in various forms:

  • State grants (money you don’t have to pay back)
  • The Open Scholarship (money you don’t have to pay back)
  • Work-study jobs (if you have work authorization)

You could be eligible for state grants if you’ve lived in the state for at least one year before graduating from a Colorado High School or getting your GED. Learn more.

If you don’t qualify for state aid, your application will be considered for The Open Scholarship. 

Meet with a bilingual financial aid advisor

In most cases, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects educational records. We would only share information if an official produces a legal order (subpoena or search warrant) to seek information about a student. We review all legal orders with our attorney before sharing documents.

Providing your SSN helps us identify your records within the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and connect them with important information, such as your financial and federal financial aid (FAFSA) records. Your SSN may be used by authorized college officials for identification, institutional research, and required state and federal reporting. It may also be used within the system to create summary data about college and CCCS programs. Your Social Security Number (SSN) will be treated with confidentiality and protected against any unauthorized use or disclosure.

I-94s are issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or USCIS. If you have an I-94, you can download it from the I-94 website.

Connect with Bilingual Services:

PPSC.Espanol@pikespeak.edu

WhatsApp: 719-505-3172
Phone: 719-619-7137

Resources

View the listing of resources below for assistance with and information regarding scholarships, immigration rights, community organizations, and more. 

*Please note that this is not an endorsement or approval of the sponsoring groups or any of the services, information or opinions in the links. CCCS is not responsible for the accuracy of the external site or for that of subsequent links. You may contact the external site for answers to questions regarding content.