Student
Application

Applications for our Spring 2027 Program open November 1 and close on December 15, 2026 @ 11:59pm EST

Who We Are

Freedom University is a safe educational space for young people in Georgia who identify as undocumented and are between the ages of 17-25 years old. We welcome students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), undocumented students ineligible for DACA, and survivors of human trafficking. We do not charge tuition of any kind and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We accept up to 25 students each semester based on a written application and video-conference interview, and require that our students commit to attending all weekly classes, supporting one another, and never giving up on their dream of attending college. Please see our list of courses from previous semesters.

When We Meet

On Saturdays and Sundays, we hold online courses in the fields Human Rights, STEM, Academic Writing, and Mental Health. Our arts courses are either held online or during our Encuentros, which are monthly in-person gatherings for sharing in joy and community building. On Sundays, we hold online courses in STEM, human rights, and academic writing. Due to the low access to health insurance in the undocumented community, and the high percentage of students living in multi-generational homes with elders and unvaccinated children vulnerable to infection, all staff, students, and faculty must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and wear masks to participate in our courses, college tours, and community engagement programs.

Our Fall 2026 courses take place on Saturdays and Sundays from September 20 - December 13, 2026.

In-Person Orientation: Saturday, September 19, 2-4pm (optional group activity 4-7pm)

Saturdays (Online)

2:00-3:15pm: Biology

3:15-3:45: Break

3:45-5:00: Human Right to Education

6:00-8:00pm: Monthly In-Person “Encuentro” Community Leadership Trainings (October 3, November 7, December 5)

Sundays (Online)

2:00-3:15pm: Mental Health

3:15-3:30pm: Break

3:30-5:00pm: Academic Writing: The College Essay

(If you need a ride, please contact our Student Coordinator, Aline Mello)

**All information submitted is confidential and will only be seen by two Freedom University staff members.

What To Expect

Freedom University is an underground school that balances the liberatory goals of a freedom school with the tangible goals of a college preparation program. While students do not receive college credit for their coursework at Freedom University, students do take CLEP courses that prepare them for the College Board CLEP exams, which grant college credits that can be transferred to a future college. In addition, we assist students navigate the complex college application process as first-generation undocumented youth, prepare them to succeed in rigorous college environments, and provide them with a welcoming and supportive community of mentors, professors, and undocumented peers.

As the only school for undocumented youth, we are considered the one true sanctuary campus in the United States. Most importantly, our human rights curriculum seeks to restore students’ sense of individual dignity and collective power. By centering students’ cultural identities and deepening their political consciousness, we empower them with the knowledge and tools they need to actively participate in the positive transformation of the world.

As a student applicant, you will receive a phone call from a staff member on or before the week of August 19 to confirm your application and eligibility. If you meet the enrollment requirements, you will be invited to participate in a video conference interview, which will take place August 29 and 30, 2026. Students are accepted based on their character, the alignment of their personal goals with our mission, their agreement to the principles in the Student Code of Conduct, and their commitment to the collective good of the Freedom University community.