In 10 states a student that is undocumented and/or illegal can be given in state tuition and the Common Wealth of Massachusetts is now considering a bill to do the same. What does this mean to higher education? Well, it means millions of dollars pumped back into colleges that are in and economic downturn. According to USA Today article, “The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates that 400 to 600 students might enter Massachusetts schools as a result of the bill and that it likely would result in $2.5 million of extra revenue”.
The issue is a hot one in Massachusetts and a similar bill was voted down in 2006. A reason given by Rep. Demetrius Atsalis, D-Barnstable, “believes it will make the state's college fee structure meaningless and will take away the incentive for undocumented students to legalize their status”.
Recently, bills in states like Georgia (where some of our classmates live) have passed legislation that bans undocumented students to enroll in colleges using in-state rates. Steve Kropper, co-director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform, a group that seeks immigration restrictions, has stated, “"It doesn't make economic sense to us," Kropper said. "If they can't get a job when they're done (with college), then it doesn't make sense for the state to invest in them,” referring to the fact that they are not allowed to have drivers licenses in his state which makes employment difficult.
Since most states that have passed some sort of bill allowing in-state tuition to illegal’s are in conservative controlled states people cannot argue that is it a political issue for the left to gain votes. It really is an issue that both parties are tackling with illegal immigration at the fore front.
So what does this mean to you and me your wondering? Well, I see it as an unfair advantage given to undocumented individuals so colleges can cash in. It is no secret that colleges can make huge profits from out-of-state students attending. For example at Bismarck State College, residents pay $112 per credit hour while non-residents pay $299. The money made from non-residents cover a lot expenses for higher education.
On the other hand, one could argue that undocumented students need assistance to lift themselves up and start a new life in American and this is one way to do it. If that is the case shouldn’t citizens that are non residents be able to use the same agreement for improving their lives?
This isn’t about discrimination it is about what is fair to all students that want to attended college , tax dollars, and politics.
What do you think?
Why restructure? Does it really do anything?
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Restructuring Under NCLB Found Not to Really Do Much
This week's final post comes in under the NCLB act. As you know from
previous posts, I am very pessimi...
15 years ago
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ReplyDeleteKyren,
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that they should be able to attend college if they're willing to pay the out-of-state fees. If they change the policy to include in state tuition for illegals, then everyone in America is then going to be able to attend college anywhere they want for the same price they would in their home state. What good does that do for the local economies in our country if say 150,000 North Dakota natives decide they can go across borders to attend college for the same price? It's unfortunate the illegals aren't allowed to pay double to attend college in my mind. We need to get the money back they are taking out of the country completely somehow. That would be one step in the right direction and allow them to be more productive in our society if they didn't turn around and move back to their homeland afterwards.
But after babbling about it and considering it further, it astounds me, simply amazes me that anyone who doesn't have the ambition, drive, or ability to become a legal resident of the United States would actually want to attend or think they can complete college. Why wouldn't they just become legal residents and not have to worry about the out-of-state tuitions or regulations they are lobbying so strongly to have the government change? Why can they lobby at all if they're illegals? Why do so many Americans find this is a positive thing for our country? Do you think you'd do this to the Mexican government? Or Canadian government? Or anywhere else? What's the deal with America?
Have a good week.
Randy B.
You make many good points Randy. I have to agree with you on many of them.
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