Thread: DENVER - State Lawmakers To Debate Tuition For Illegal Immigrants

State Lawmakers To Debate Tuition Prices For Illegal Immigrants

Senate Bill 15 Allows For Separate Tuition Category

7news.com The Denver channel
Posted by: Deb Stanley POSTED: 7:27 am MST January 26, 2012 UPDATED: 7:54 am MST January 26, 2012

DENVER -- Lawmakers are debating whether illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools should qualify for college tuition that's lower than the out-of-state amount.

A Senate committee led by Democrats will hear the proposal Thursday and decide whether it should move forward. The bill would create a separate tuition category that is a bit higher than in-state tuition but lower than out-of-state tuition.

Illegal immigrant students would qualify if they sign an affidavit saying they are seeking legal status and they graduated from a state school after attending for at least three years.

The bill gives colleges the ability to opt out of creating the separate tuition category. Senate Bill 15 is expected to have a hard time in the Republican-controlled House if it reaches there.

This is the sixth time state lawmakers have tried to make college more affordable to illegal immigrants, who don't qualify for the less-expensive in-state tuition. Out-of-state tuition can be up to five times higher, and supporters said that's an obstacle many college-bound illegal immigrants raised in the U.S. can't overcome.

Democratic Sen. Michael Johnston, a sponsor of the legislation, said an estimated 300 to 500 students would benefit from the bill, and colleges could take in $2 million in tuition revenue as a result.

Thirteen states -- including Texas, California, Illinois and Connecticut -- have passed legislation granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrant students, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Source: State Lawmakers To Debate Tuition Prices For Illegal Immigrants - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver