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DACA

DMACC Welcomes DACA students!

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

We encourage you to continue your education here. DMACC provides a friendly and supportive environment for you and your family. Our locations and classes are convenient. We offer free tutoring, and tuition is the most affordable of any college or university in Iowa. What’s more, we’ll help you through the process from admissions to financial aid to course selection. Learn how you can achieve your academic and career dreams at DMACC today. Start by getting answers to questions most often asked by DACA students.

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Frequently Asked Questions



Academic Programs

DMACC offers 200+ programs that lead to degrees, diplomas and certificates as well as pathways that smooth transfer to Iowa’s Regents universities and other four-year colleges. Check out your options here.

Admission

Regardless of your immigration status, all students should apply for admission to DMACC through our online Application for Admission. Learn more here.

Applying is free and easy! Questions?

Yes, absolutely! We welcome all students, regardless of immigration status.

Financial Aid

Contact DMACC Financial Aid here.

Yes! For help completing the FAFSA, check out our step-by-step guide to financial aid. 

Even though you as a DACA student are not eligible for federal student aid, you should still complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Colleges, including DMACC, often use information collected on the FAFSA to determine whether you are eligible for institutional aid such as scholarships. If you have a Social Security number, you may complete the FAFSA, and we encourage you to do so at fafsa.gov.

Your parents’ citizenship status does not affect your eligibility for federal student aid. In fact, the FAFSA doesn't even ask about your parents’ status. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education.

No. Undocumented students, including DACA students and Dreamers, are not eligible for federal student aid. However, you may be eligible for DMACC scholarships (see Scholarships section below)

Tuition

The FACTS (Nelnet Business Solutions) automatic payment plan allows you to make payments on a monthly basis if you owe $200 or more. A $25 nonrefundable fee is assessed by Nelnet at the time of your application and is automatically deducted from your checking or savings account or charged to your credit card (MC, VISA or Discover). Down payments are also immediately deducted at the time of enrollment. Monthly payments are automatically deducted on the 5th of each month. See the directions for setting up a payment plan. To make changes to a payment plan or to update the account information used for automatic withdrawals please contact Nelnet Business Solutions at 1-800-609-8056.

To learn more, contact Student Accounts at (515) 964-6446 or mybill@dmacc.edu

​DMACC helps students in meeting their financial obligation to DMACC by providing timely information about students' financial accounts. There are many different payment options including a Payment Plan via automatic monthly installments. Contact Student Accounts by calling (515) 964-6446 or email mybill@dmacc.edu.

Yes, if you have lived in Iowa for the last 90 days, attended and graduated from an Iowa high school, and can submit an official high school transcript providing evidence of high school attendance. Please indicate that you are an undocumented or DACA student on your application. If you meet residency requirements, you will automatically be given in-state tuition.

The cost for DMACC credit classes is set annually by the DMACC Board of Trustees. Your total cost will vary depending on residence, the number of credits taken, any fees and the class format.

Loans

Unfortunately, undocumented students, including DACA students and Dreamers, are not eligible for federal student aid or federal student loans.

However, DACA students may be able to access private or alternative student loans. These loans are not affiliated with the federal student loan program. Each private student loan has eligibility criteria set by the lender. 

To learn more about private or alternative student loans:

  •  Visit DMACC’s Alternative Loan webpage or
  • Contact the DMACC Student Financial Aid Office at 1-800-362-2127, ext. 6282.

Note: DMACC provides material concerning private student loans for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with any private lender. Again, these loan options are not in any way related to the federal student loan program.

Scholarships

DMACC gathers and shares information about scholarships offered by public and private agencies, organizations, colleges and universities. Recipients are selected based on scholastic aptitude, essay and financial need. Minimum or maximum awards vary. Scholarships are gift aid and do not need to be paid back. 
Here are some of the organizations that offer scholarships:

​Yes, and all students should apply for one! Last year, through the DMACC Foundation, DMACC awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to our students.

Every scholarship will have certain eligibility criteria. But not all DMACC Foundation scholarships require U.S. citizenship. Many scholarships are awarded on the basis of achievement, although many also require that you have financial need. (This is why we recommend that you complete the FAFSA. (See Financial Aid section above)

  • Learn more about scholarship opportunities on DMACC Foundation website
  • To get help with the Foundation Scholarship Application, contact Sue Rardin (Financial Aid Specialist) at (515) 965-7179 or sgrardin@dmacc.edu.

Helpful Resources

Does DMACC Embrace Diversity?


Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) has the distinction of enrolling the most culturally diverse student population in the Iowa higher education system. Our responsibility to our students, and to the staff and faculty that serve them, is articulated in the diversity vision statement:

DMACC will create a culture in which all people are valued and supported, and will celebrate the similarities and differences among us. In doing so, we will prepare the DMACC community to live, to learn, and to work together in a global society.

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Diversity At DMACC