Campus Resources

At Western Washington University, there are a number of programs and services with specific supports for undocumented students, including:

  • Admissions staff can help with the application process and answer questions you may have about Western.  
  • Scholarship Center staff are available to provide information on financial resources and offer support for undocumented students.
  • Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center’s We Share the Dream Lending Library is designed to support undocumented students in obtaining required textbooks that otherwise would be a financial barrier. For information about requesting book(s) from the Lending Library program, contact María Pérez de Henderson at hender7@wwu.edu.
  • Counseling and Wellness Center facilitates student success and psychological well-being through culturally sensitive clinical services, outreach, and consultation.
  • Basic Needs. “Western Washington University, in support of its mission, values and goals, strives to provide access to basic needs for its students. Learn more about Basic Needs and their resources
  • Short-term Emergency Housing. The Office of Student Life can issue a room on campus in a temporary space when someone needs short-term, emergency housing. Contact Student Life to request emergency housing and discuss potential financial options by emailing student.life@wwu.edu or calling 360-650-3706.
  • Campus Food Pantries. “Western has five food pantries on campus open to all students and supplied in part by Miracle Food Network. In general, each pantry is open when the building is open. Contact each department or college for more information.
    • VU WHOLE Pantry (VU 435)
    • Fairhaven College Pantry (Fairhaven 3rd floor)
    • CEED Food Pantry (MH 150)
    • Journalism Pantry (CF 257)
    • Linguistics Department Pantry (BH 403)
  • Swipe Out Hunger. Swipe Out Hunger allows students to request or donate meal swipes each quarter to use in the dining halls. Request meals here.
  • Career Services provides resources for undocumented students around continuing education, jobs, and completing applications and other forms.
  • Career Closet. Students/alumni can acquire free professional business attire appropriate for job or grad school interviews, networking events, career fairs, or for any reason that professional attire may be needed. Schedule an appointment at the Career Services Center in Old Main 280 or call 360-650-3240 to visit the Career Closet.
  • Education Abroad supports meaningful educational opportunities abroad for all students, faculty, and staff.  Before Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was rescinded, DACA provided a pathway for undocumented students to study abroad by applying for Advance Parole. Advance Parole was essentially permission to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. Along with the announcement of rescinding DACA, the U.S. government immediately stopped accepting applications for Advance Parole, preventing DACA students from being able to study abroad and re-enter the U.S. without detention.
  • Blue Resource Center. We encourage undocumented students to contact and/or visit the Blue Resource Center. This program office is fully dedicated to supporting undocumented students and connecting them to resources.
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about attending WWU as an undocumented student.