Multicultural/Undocumented Resources

About Multicultural/Undocumented Resources

We are committed to being inclusive to all students. Our staff can connect you to the resources you need to be successful in college - including scholarship information, advising and more. We invite you to stop by our office at any time during your college journey!

Información en Español

Programs and Services Offered 

  • Cultural enrichment activities
  • Outreach to underserved communities
  • Minority student scholarships
  • Advocacy and support to all students
  • Academic advising for students (English and Spanish)
  • Leadership development opportunities
  • Field trips to four-year schools

Take Part in Our Annual Celebrations & Events

  • Black Teen Summit
  • Latino Student Empowerment Conference
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Black History Month
  • Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  • Black Perspective series
  • Escalera series

  • Our Goals

    Our Goals for Current and Future Students

    • To provide access and educational assistance to multicultural, undocumented and mixed status current and future students
    • To educate students and their families about financial assistance and scholarships
    • To provide academic support and wrap-around services to ensure successfully enrollment, college persistence, and goal completion
    • To increase understanding of immigration laws that affect undocumented families and negatively impact college persistence
    • Work with community legal aid partners to provide legal advice, screening, and assessment


    Our Goals for the Campus Environment

    • To improve awareness of the issues and concerns of all JJC’s students
    • To investigate and review JJC’s policies and procedures that may negatively affect student enrollment, retention and completion and develop recommendations to eliminate these barriers
    • To cultivate an open and supportive campus environment

Undocumented Student Resources

  • Know Your Rights

    Illinois Immigration Information

     

  • How We Support Our Students

    We Support Undocumented Students

    In keeping with our core value of Respect and Inclusion, JJC stands in solidarity and in of support of undocumented students.

    As part of our commitment to serve those that identify as Undocumented or DACAmented, we provide:

    • Educational access
    • Assistance with the admissions process
    • Campus referrals
    • Mental wellness
    • Advocacy
    • Support
       

    About the DACA Memorandum

    On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, to take appropriate action to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), consistent with applicable law. For more updated information please visit USCIS.

    What is DACA?

  • How to Apply to JJC if You Are Undocumented

    How to Apply if You Have a Social Security Number

    1. Complete a JJC application.
       

    JJC APPLICATION

    How to Apply if You Do Not Have a Social Security Number

    1. Call (815) 280-6709 or email cmas@jjc.edu for assistance.
    2. What to Do After You Apply: After your application is complete and your new student account is created, JJC will send an email to the personal email address you provided in your application, containing your new JJC email address. Refer to the New Account Setup page for instructions on ID lookup and password setting.
    3. Ask your high school to send us your official, sealed high school transcript or high school equivalency record (GED, HiSET, TASC). Transcripts can be sent to admissions@jjc.edu.
    4. Visit our Admitted Students page and follow all of the steps.
       

    Puedes llamar (815) 280-6888 para recibir respuestas a tus preguntas en español.

    Información en Español

  • Financial Help for Undocumented Students

    Student and Family FAQs:
    The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, the RISE Act, and the 2026-27 School Year

    The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is the state agency that manages the Monetary Award Program (MAP), a need-based grant that helps Illinois students pay for college. ISAC also manages other state scholarships and grants. ISAC works with colleges and universities to award these funds to students.

    1. What is the RISE Act?

    The RISE Act is a state law that has allowed ISAC to provide state financial aid to undocumented students who were eligible for in-state tuition. Students eligible for state financial aid under the RISE Act apply using the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application).

    2. What happened to the RISE Act?

    On July 24, 2026, a federal district court ruled that the current version of the RISE Act, as applied to undocumented students, is unlawful. The court also prohibited ISAC from providing state financial assistance to undocumented students under the current version of the RISE Act during the 2026-2027 school year.

    3. Does this mean I will lose my MAP grant or other ISAC financial aid for the 2026-2027 school year?

    Unfortunately, the answer is yes if you are an undocumented student who completed the Alternative Application for the 2026-2027 school year. Because of the judge’s ruling, if you were awarded a MAP grant or any other ISAC financial aid under the current version of the RISE Act (by filing the Alternative Application instead of the FAFSA), ISAC is not allowed to pay these grants or scholarships to you or your institution for the 2026-27 school year. We know this court decision brings tremendous uncertainty and financial challenges for Illinois undocumented students. The State of Illinois recognizes the harms to students as a result of this decision, and remains dedicated to college access, affordability, and opportunity for all students.

    4. Do I have to repay the MAP grant or other ISAC financial aid I received in previous academic years?

    No, this ruling does not require that you repay the grants or scholarships you received from ISAC in previous academic years.

    5. What should I do now?

    Talk with your school’s financial aid office and/or your Undocumented Student Resource Liaison. They can help you understand how this change affects you and discuss any options you may have. In June 2026, Governor Pritzker signed into law an amendment to the RISE Act (HB 5093) that goes into effect for the 2027-2028 school year. The court’s ruling does not apply to HB 5093. The Alternative Application for the 2027-2028 school year will open on October 1, 2026.

    Click here to go directly to the ISAC site: Student/Family FAQs: 2026-2027 School Year

    Guides To Assist You

    View available scholarships for undocumented students further down on this page.

  • Other Resources

    Additional Resources

    • Center for Student Wellness and Support

    • Community Resources 

       

    • D.A.L.E. (Dreamers Advancing in Leadership and Education) is a support group that seeks to provide a safe space for raising awareness of the plight of undocumented and immigrant students, to connect students to resources and scholarship information, and empower students to develop leadership skills and self-efficacy.  
    • Advising and Supporting Undocumented Students Seminar- This seminar is a platform in creating awareness about the many challenges experienced by undocumented students at JJC. Participants will come away with practical tools to better serve undocumented students on their academic journey.   

Available Scholarships

Mentoring Services for All Students

  • Peer Mentor Program

    Sign Up for Peer Mentoring

    JJC's Peer Mentor program will pair you up with a fellow student who will quickly become one of your friends! Our peer mentors will talk to you about their experiences, challenges, and celebrations at JJC, and you can talk to them about your own experiences as well.

    This program is designed to help new students learn about the school, show them where to go if they need help, and more.

    For more information, please email:

    Alondra Ordaz at alondra.ordaz@jjc.edu