Think back to when you first applied to NYU: One of the easiest parts of the application was filling out your social security number to apply for financial aid. But for the rising number of young, undocumented immigrants in the United States, those nine digits may be one of the first roadblocks to securing a seat in a college lecture hall.

A version of this article appeared in the Friday, Oct. 26 print edition. Hanqing Chen is an assistant managing editor.  Email her at [email protected].