Unfair! University of California, Riverside Grant Funding Favors Illegal Aliens Over Americans

by Seth Segal Jul. 3, 2026 10:40 am



According to a report from Campus Reform, the University of California, Riverside’s Undocumented Student Programs offers up to $9,000 annually through its Butterfly Project Fellowship to “DREAMers, students from mixed-status families, and undocu allies,” while a comparable graduate research grant for U.S. citizen graduate students provides up to $4,000 per year.”

This program rewards lawbreakers while punishing American citizens, something which is entirely unfair.

“According to fellowship materials reviewed by Campus Reform, the Butterfly Project Fellowship provides up to $9,000 annually to illegal alien graduate students, with awards disbursed through the Financial Aid Office.”

There shouldn’t be incentives at American academic institutions for foreign nationals who break our laws, and the fact that there are is an outrage that rewards lawlessness.

Recipients of this insane “fellowship” are also given the opportunity to attend college and “Undocumented Student Programs events while continuing to advance their graduate research.”

“A comparable funding opportunity for American citizens available through UCR is the Dissertation Research Grant, administered by the university’s Graduate Division. The grant provides up to $2,000 per application during both the fall and spring quarters, allowing recipients to receive up to $4,000 annually.”

That’s a considerably lower amount than what illegal aliens get and shows a disparity.

“According to UCR’s published tuition schedule, California resident graduate students enrolled during the 2026–27 academic year pay $7,483.12 per quarter. Over the traditional three-quarter year, annual tuition and fees total approximately $22,449.”

“By comparison, a student receiving the full Butterfly Project Fellowship, potentially an illegal alien, would pay approximately $13,449, creating a roughly $5,000 annual funding advantage over an American graduate student relying on the comparable Dissertation Research Grant.”

Campus Reform had contacted the school but they declined to comment.as of now.

Taxpayer funded institutions should not offer benefits to Illegals and certainly shouldn’t give advantages to illegals over native born Americans.

Financial aid is not meant to go to law breakers and foreign nationals but rather should be available strictly for American students.

This disparity is unacceptable and shows an unserouisusnes towards our laws and towards what it means to be an American.

Sadly many colleges continue both DEI and rewards for illegal aliens in spite of federal law and Executive orders from The Trump administration.

Americans should always be put before foreign nationals and this situation is no exception.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...avors-illegal/