Illinois Latino Family Commission in collaboration with the Illinois DREAM Fund Commission brought together a panel of experts titled “DACA & Higher Education” at Arturo Velasquez Institute in Chicago. The panel was addressing two issues that college and university administrators are currently grappling with that impact DACA and Undocumented students: 1098-T tax penalties and financial need assessment.

In August 2013, many colleges and universities received notices proposing to impose a $100 fine for each information return filed for tax year 2011 (in this case the 1098-T forms) with missing or incorrect Tax Payer Identification Numbers also known as TINs. When addressing financial need assessment, the universal form that most high school and college counselors’ use are FAFSA forms. Although, DACA and Undocumented students do not qualify for federal aid and in the state Illinois, they do not qualify for state aid; there has been confusion if this is the correct and/or only way to determine financial need. The panel was composed of representatives from federal and state agencies:

• Sergio Guzman (Internal Revenue Service)
• John Hockersmith (University of Illinois)
• Nelson Aguiar (Illinois Community Colleges Board)
• Sara Espinosa (Illinois Student Assistance Commission)