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Financial Aid for CT Undocumented Students

Aid Application for Connecticut Undocumented Students (AACTUS)

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Omar J. Livingston

Director of Financial Aid Operations and Outreach

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About Me

Omar J. Livingston

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HS: Westhill High School (1996)

AS: Finance and Banking, CT State Community College Norwalk (‘2001)

BS: Business Management, Albertus Magnus College (2010)

Over 20 years in Financial Aid

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History of Aid for Undocumented Students at CT State Community College

About Aid for Undocumented Students AACTUS

  • On April 27, 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly, with support from Governor Dannel P. Malloy, enacted a new state law that allows undocumented students to apply for and access institutional financial aid.

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History of Aid for Undocumented Students at CT State Community College

About Aid for Undocumented Students AACTUS

Students must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements, along with an affidavit about their intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so, to determine eligibility. Certain undocumented veterans may also be eligible to participate. This application does not apply to non-immigrant visa holders.

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Affidavit of Eligibility

Undocumented Veteran Eligibility

These are the conditions under which students may apply for institutional aid using the AACTUS for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • Undocumented veterans may be eligible for institutional financial aid beginning with the Fall 2018 semester.  To be eligible, veteran students must meet the following criteria:
  • Honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces;
  • Thirty years of age or younger on June 15, 2012;
  • Fifteen years of age or younger when they arrived in the United States and have continuously resided in the United States since such arrival; and
  • Have not been convicted of a felony in this state or another state.

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Affidavit of Eligibility

Undocumented Students

These are the conditions under which students may apply for institutional aid using the AACTUS for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • Starting in the 2019-2020 academic year, undocumented students may apply for institutional aid consideration toward the Spring 2020 semester.  To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
  • Classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes;
  • Thirty years of age or younger on June 15, 2012;
  • Sixteen years of age or younger when they arrived in the United States and have continuously resided in the United States since such arrival; and
  • Have not been convicted of a felony in this state or another state.

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AACTUS Applications

English/Spanish Applications:

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Affidavit of Eligibility

  • These are the conditions under which students may apply for institutional aid using the AACTUS for the 2025-2026 school year.

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Eligibility and Awards�

  • Full- or Part-Time Students (6+ Credits)
  • Title IV-Eligible Program
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
  • Course Programs of Study (CPoS)
    • U.S. Department of Education (ED) regulations require that a student must be enrolled in at least one eligible degree or certificate program of study to receive federal financial aid (grants, loans, work-study).

Awards

    • Full Time = $3,000
    • ¾ Time = $2,250
    • Part Time = $1,500

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Program Notes

  • There is an AACTUS Application (Complete once an Academic Year)
    • Application mimics the FAFSA (Prior-prior year Fed Taxes used)
  • There is no program deadline (Funds awarded on availability) Apply Early!
  • May include funding for books and supplies
  • FA Office will provide awards when all criteria are met
    • AACTUS complete
    • All requested documents submitted and reviewed
    • Registered for at least six (6) credits a semester
  • Available for Fall and Spring Semesters
    • Can combine Winter and Spring Enrollment
  • Not available for any Summer Sessions

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Communicating with Students

  • College-provided email is our main method of communication
  • Self-service portal available (myCTState)
    • Billing
    • Financial Aid Information
    • Missing Requirement Dashboard
    • Electronic Document Submission
  • Submitting the aid application is not the last step
  • We regularly reach out to students who are incomplete

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AACTUS Program Figures

2024-25 Aid PAID as of 6/16/25

  • Aid for Undocumented Students via Institutional Grant: $1.9M to 461 students

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Scholarship Opportunities

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Financial Aid Information and Resource links

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Please Contact Us!

Omar J. Livingston, Director of Financial Aid Operations and Outreach

Phone: 203-332-5049

Email: omar.livingston@ctstate.edu

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Campus Financial Aid Offices

Websites: https://ctstate.edu/

https://ctstate.edu/financial-aid#campuses

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Thank You