Thread: ColorLines: von Quednow: (Illegal) College Dreams Deferred

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College Dreams Deferred

By Cindy Von Quednow

With the recession, undocumented students tackle even more barriers to higher education.

September 1, 2009

Upon graduating from high school in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles in May, Geraldine’s future was unclear.

While her classmates had applied to many colleges, Geraldine had only been able to apply to Cal State, Los Angeles and that was thanks to her counselor who had paid the application fee she couldn’t afford. So while her classmates were getting acceptance letters from schools across the country, Geraldine could only look forward to one and even then she would only be able to attend if she was awarded scholarships she had applied for.

The acceptance letter came, but the scholarship money didn’t and Geraldine couldn’t attend. Tuition is too high and she doesn’t qualify for financial aid because of her legal status. Geraldine is undocumented.

Like all students her age, Geraldine is trying to attend college at a time when California is facing a $26 billion deficit, the state’s public universities have had their budgets cut severely, and Cal State students face 30 percent fee increases in the coming year.

What sets Geraldine, and other students like her apart though, is her legal status. It makes it impossible to get federal and state grants or student loans at a time when that’s become an even greater necessity. And because unemployment is high, undocumented students can’t count any longer on jobs to help pay for college.

“I feel bad because I can’t help her in what she wants to do,â€

Paraphrasing Horace Greeley "Go South Young One".

You have received over a hundred thousand dollars of education at our expense. There is a scarcity of people with that level where you are from. You will have an advantage over your peers there that you did not deserve.

Originally Posted by Richard

Paraphrasing Horace Greeley "Go South Young One".

You have received over a hundred thousand dollars of education at our expense. There is a scarcity of people with that level where you are from. You will have an advantage over your peers there that you did not deserve.

Took the words right out of my mouth, Richard!

YUP!
Are you too good for CAL State?
In your country you would have got NOTHING probably!
Quit whining while you take some Americans place...

GO HOME THEN!

I can't stand the stories about how illegals suffer at the hands of an unfair and injust American society. Ungrateful, arrogant and holier-than-thou is the most polite way I can sum up their attitudes without cussing up a storm!