Immigrant Education: How You Can Help

At the Welcoming Center, we often field questions regarding education. What area high schools can I attend? Am I eligible for financial aid? Can I transfer to another school? We believe that it is critically important to know what educational options are out there and the ways to access those opportunities.

A study from the Migration Policy Institute that examines the education experience and aspirations of immigrants and the children of immigrants shows that the majority, regardless of ethnic origin, aspire to higher education and professional-level occupations. However, many of them face obstacles such as lack of resources and suitable training, language barriers, limited social networks, and racial discrimination.

In other words, immigrant youth often have aspirations of going to college and getting professional jobs, just like their American peers, but do not always have the same access to the opportunities needed to reach those goals.

These youth have incredible assets to contribute to our economy and culture. They are motivated, they are often multi-lingual, they are adaptable -- all characteristics that companies, universities, and organizations desire.

So how can you help immigrant youth access the opportunities so that they can reach their goals and become the assets to our region?

Ask and tell. Make sure the admissions offices and guidance departments in your school districts are equipped to answer questions about educational options for immigrants. If you notice that a school is not equipped to do so, let your school administrators know. Or let us know!

Support programs that work with immigrant youth. The Welcoming Center's Project Bridging Cultures offers academic support and information about post- secondary education opportunities. Programs like Project Bridging Cultures help keep these students from slipping through the cracks of our city's school system and help them access the resources and networks necessary to realize their aspirations. For more information on how to support our program, click here.

Knowledge is power. Be knowledgeable about the education options of immigrants, especially if your work involves youth or college-age students. You never know when you will be able to give a student the right information at the right time. Here are some places you can find information:

For students over 18 or finished high school, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posts a document on their website titled "How Do I Become an Academic Student in the US?" This document answers questions like: Who is allowed to study in the US? How long can a student stay in the US? And, can a student work if studying here?
The Welcoming Center's education webpage has many resources regarding the education in our region, including information about the different education levels, how to register a student in the Philadelphia School District, and how to obtain a GED.
For adults looking to complete college degrees, a new initiative, Graduate! Philadelphia, provides FREE and ongoing support and guidance, both in-person and online, for everything from application through graduation.
For elementary and high school students, The Education Law Center posts a manual on their website that explains the rights of English language learners in school and how to advocate for them. They also have a factsheet in English and Spanish for those looking to enroll an English language learner in school.