Trump’s deportation threats could prevent children of undocumented parents from going to college • Minnesota reformer

President-elect Donald Trump’s promises to deport millions of undocumented people may discourage some college applicants – including American citizens – from applying for federal financial aid, which millions of students rely on to attend college.

Trump promised declare a state of emergency and mobilize the army deport illegal immigrants, although he did not provide key details of the plan: how to identify those immigrants, notify them of deportation and transport them out of the country.

The unknowns have put students whose parents are undocumented in a risky situation: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to access federal grants and loans, and the way many universities calculate their own financial aid packages. It also requires parents’ Social Security numbers.

The app offers a separate identity verification process for parents who do not have a Social Security number, and some experts fear the data could be misused to identify and potentially deport them. (A student applying for federal aid must have a Social Security number to complete the form.)

The National College Attainment Network, which lobbies to expand college access, sent an email to members Thursday urging mixed-status families to “make an informed decision about whether to file the FAFSA.”

The situation underscores how newly elected Trump and his mass deportation plans could impact the lives of millions of immigrants and their families in many ways, in everything from health care to education to the criminal justice system.

The Higher Education Act prohibits the use of FAFSA data for purposes other than processing financial aid awards, but Trump is not known for his fidelity to legal details.

The letter from the National College Attainment Network continues: “We cannot assure you that undocumented individuals may not be identified and subject to sanctions in the future. “Because of the potential risks associated with this process, we want each person to have as much information as possible before submitting identifying information to the federal government… For some, the potential risks may now outweigh even the significant benefits of federal student aid.”

More than half college students receive federal financial aid; without completing the FAFSA, students could pay the full sticker price of tuition. State of Minnesota Community and technical colleges cost over $6,000 per year on average. Minnesota’s four-year universities, which are thousands of dollars cheaper than the University of Minnesota, cost more than $10,000 a year before financial aid – not including room and board costs.

The IRS also maintains protected information on taxpayers who do not have Social Security numbers – many undocumented workers in the U.S. use an alternative taxpayer identification number issued by the IRS – but a more likely political target is the U.S. Department of Education.

Trump promised close the Department of Educationwhich houses federal student loan and grant programs. Dismantling the agency would require approval from the Republican-controlled Congress, and it is unclear what the consequences would be for federal financial aid.

Trump has nominated wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be the agency’s secretary.

Caitlyn Cole, director of career and college readiness at Achieve Twin Cities, said her team will be troubleshooting individual student and family scenarios and is awaiting guidance from the state Office of Higher Education.

“We believe Trump’s threats will discourage mixed-status families from applying for the FAFSA,” Cole said.

Students whose parents are undocumented also encountered problems with the FAFSA last year. The federal government has introduced a new app that leads to serious delays for all studentsand causing faults in the section of the form where people without a Social Security number can request alternative identity verification.

FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year opened on Thursdayover a month and a half later than the usual opening date of October 1.