Free College Promise Does Not Apply To Undocumented Students
Students Must Pay To Make Up Difference In Out-Of-State Tuition



Four years ago in an auditorium at Cole Middle School, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper promised the 300-plus students in attendance that he would find a way to send each of them to college for free.

Now, the first group of those students is set to graduate, and some are finding that the mayor's promise isn't adding up.

The promise only pays in-state tuition, and state law requires illegal immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition.

So undocumented students must make up the difference.

"For the four years that he promised he's only giving us a third," said Yari, who did not want to use her real name, fearing that she might be deported.

For Yari, the mayor's promise was the promise of a lifetime.

"He suddenly just promised everyone who continued with school that he would pay for four years," Yari said.

To be clear, the mayor has kept his word. All those students who were in attendance who are legal U.S. citizens will have their in-state tuition paid, and even undocumented students will get the same amount for in-state tuition.

"We believe that the promise was kept," said Hickenlooper's senior policy advisor, Katherine Archuleta.

But under Colorado state law undocumented students must pay out-of-state tuition no matter how long they've lived in the United States.

"That decision was out of our control, but we will continue to raise money to fill that gap," said Archuleta.

Yari is still thankful, despite feeling a bit cheated.

"I feel something is better than nothing. And I appreciate very much what he's giving us. I'm still going to college. I'm going to work two to three jobs this summer just to pay what I need to pay," Yari said.

The scholarships sending Cole students to college are made possible by private donations to the Denver Scholarship Fund. None of the money comes from taxpayers.
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SURVEY
Is it fair for undocumented students to have to pay out-of-state tuition?
Yes, it is fair.
Yes it is fair, and they shouldn't be getting scholarships either.
No, it's not fair. They may have lived in Colorado for most of their life.