Campus Message from President Sandoval

September 30, 2025

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

On Friday, Sept. 26, the University received correspondence from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding financial aid and academic support resources the University provides to all students.

We plan to respond through the appropriate legal channels. Nevertheless, the University of Nevada, Reno maintains that it has and will continue to uphold its legal responsibilities to all of its students under state and federal law, including the Constitutions of Nevada and the United States.

We also wish to reiterate our institution-wide commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and respectful campus environment for all of our students. The success of our students as they pursue and achieve their educational and professional goals is one of the key tenets of our institutional mission.

Several claims in the DOJ letter do not accurately reflect how our University operates, particularly in relation to financial aid distribution and student support services:

The UndocuPack Program is available to all University students. No federal funding is used for the program. The program provides support resources for any student at our University. It also provides learning and information resources for the University faculty and staff. Higher education institutions across the country and across the state offer similar programs and resources.

All enrolled students at the University have met NSHE enrollment guidelines [external PDF]. Per Assembly Bill 213 (2021) and Senate Bill 347 (2021), certain undocumented students, including DACA recipients, may qualify for in-state tuition if they meet specific criteria such as attending and graduating from a Nevada high school.

State-funded scholarships such as the Millennium Scholarship, Nevada Promise Scholarship, and Silver State Opportunity Grant, Nevada Higher Education, Prepaid Tuition Program, and the Nevada College Savings Program are available to eligible Nevada high school graduates. These programs do not exclude students based on immigration status or residency, per state law. All NSHE member institutions are required to follow the guidelines for these state-funded scholarship programs.

Federal aid is awarded only to students who have successfully completed and been approved through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The University strictly adheres to the U.S. Department of Education’s eligibility guidelines, including those for undocumented students. Our University does not provide any federal educational aid to students if this form has not been successfully approved. The Office of the Department of Education offers clear guidelines on this process for undocumented students. The University has always followed these federal guidelines.

The University has remained in compliance with federal and state law, as well as the Nevada and United States Constitutions regarding adherence to federal and state eligibility requirements for undocumented students for federal aid and scholarships. In addition, we have made good, and will continue to make good on our commitment in ensuring a respectful, supportive, and welcoming environment on our campus where all our students have access to the tools they need for success.

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President