Eligibility
As of July 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education has set specific guidelines on who can receive services funded with federal dollars.
We're Here to Help You Get StartedTo be eligible for our programs, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a 'Qualified Alien' under the Personal Responsibility and Workforce Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). Additionally, all participants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and we are now required to verify employment eligibility and identity upon enrollment. We know immigration status can be complicated, and these categories might not be immediately clear to everyone. If you're not sure whether you qualify based on your current status, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our staff is here to help you understand your eligibility and connect you with the right resources. The important thing to remember is that, because our programs receive federal funding, we need to follow federal requirements regarding who can participate.
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Preferred verification documentThe preferred verification document for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and Qualified Aliens: ✓ Original or certified copy of birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or territory of the United State, bearing an official seal
✓ Permanent Resident
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Other Forms of Documentation
| Status | Documentation |
|---|---|
| U.S. Citizen | U.S. birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate |
| U.S. National (Born in U.S. territories, e.g., American Samoa) | Passport, birth certificate (Original or certified copy of birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or territory of the United State, bearing an official seal) |
| Lawful Permanent Resident | Green Card (Form I-551) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Under TWC AEL rules, programs must have current, approved documentation in order to use federal funds for your classes. If we cannot obtain an approved document, we are required to stop federal AEL services to avoid disallowed costs.
Whenever possible, staff will:
- Explain why we cannot use federal funds in your situation
- Share information on programs with Alamo Colleges that you may qualify for, or a referral to other local programs, nonprofits, or online resources
We take your privacy seriously. TWC requires AEL programs to:
- View original documents in person for verification
- Keep at a minimum two secure copies of your eligibility document in a protected system
- Follow strict rules for handling personal information, including limited staff access and secure storage
Your documents are used only to confirm eligibility and for required state reporting.
Yes. Because our classes are funded with federal dollars, every learner must show an approved document. This includes citizens, nationals, and non-citizens. This is required by federal rules and TWC AEL guidance, and it helps us treat everyone consistently and fairly.
No. For eligibility, we must see current, unexpired documentation. If your ID or immigration document is expired, we will talk with you about renewing it or using another approved document.
Under current federal and TWC rules, individuals who do not fall into a qualified immigration category are not eligible for federally funded AEL services.
However, our team may know about:
- Nonprofit organizations that operate under different federal rules
We encourage you to contact us so we can talk through your situation and share any referrals we have.
Our program uses your documentation only to confirm eligibility for federal AEL services and to meet state reporting requirements. We do not provide immigration enforcement and we do not report learners to immigration authorities based on participation.
You do not have to figure this out alone. We will walk through your situation, explain your options in plain language, and point you toward the best path for your goals, whether that is our AEL program or a community partner.
Admissions: dst-aceadmission@alamo.edu