By Zaidee Stavely, Photo: Julie Leopo/EdSource, EdSource, November 30, 2021
California made history in 2001 when it became the second state in the nation to pass a law that allows undocumented students who attended and graduated from high school in the state to pay in-state college tuition.
Since then, it has benefited tens of thousands of students. But advocates say many undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid are not receiving these benefits, 20 years after the law passed. The application process is difficult to navigate, and the requirements vary from college to college, making it hard for many students to apply. As a result, many students pay out-of-state tuition, even though they qualify for lower rates.
The group Immigrants Rising, based in San Francisco, is asking the three public college systems in California to align their requirements to make it easier for students to apply for these programs. They are convening a working group with representatives from all three public college and university systems — California Community Colleges, California State University and the University of California — to discuss the barriers to accessing aid and come up with solutions. The first meeting will be in December or January.
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