Few illegal aliens use state break on tuition


Thursday, December 6, 2007 11:35 PM CST

By Kurt Erickson

SPRINGFIELD -- A four-year-old law that allows children of illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition rates at Illinois public universities appears to be drawing fewer students than predicted.

A survey of several public universities found fewer than 300 students are taking advantage of the benefit this year, which is less than the more than 2,200 students who had been projected to qualify.

The issue has been the subject of lawsuits in other states, as well as a key component of immigration reform being debated in Congress. In recent weeks, it also has become a hot topic in the presidential race.

Illinois is among 10 states that have laws on the books allowing for cheaper, in-state tuition rates for students who are the children of undocumented immigrants.

In signing the measure into law in 2003, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said giving undocumented students equal footing in the education process will help more young people go on to “achieve their full potential.â€