Illegal Aliens Get Tuition Break in California
NewsMax.com Wires
Friday, Jan. 18, 2002
SAN FRANCISCO – The regents of the prestigious University of California system Thursday gave conditional approval to a tuition program letting illegal aliens pay the same tuition as legal residents.
The Board of Regents voted 17-5 in favor of the measure that will allow graduates of California high schools to pay in-state tuition even if they are in the United States illegally.
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The move will cut annual tuition for the affected criminals from nearly $15,000 paid by non-residents of California to the $3,859 charged state residents.
UC officials said the change would affect 200-400 students enrolled at the system's nine campuses. It will also open a door to students who otherwise might not have been able to afford enrolling at prestigious UC schools such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UC San Diego.
"The exemption will make it easier for hard-working, talented students to attend the University of California," said UC President Richard C. Atkinson. "The regents' action today will also keep tuition criteria consistent with the state's policies for the California State University and California Community College campuses, which will help reduce confusion for students and parents as they consider higher education opportunities."
Hispanic activists have seen access to higher education as a key to further economic progress of the state's Latino population. Large numbers of students who came to California illegally with their parents have gone through the entire K-12 process, but find themselves unable to afford attending UC campuses. The only requirement of the UC plan is that the students are supposed to apply for legal residency as early as possible.
Under the new plan, any student who attends a California high school for three years and graduates will be allowed to pay in-state rates if they meets enrollment criteria. Officials said the rules apply not only to illegal aliens, but also to American citizens who moved out of the state after graduation from high school, or are seeking graduate degrees.
The plan will not take effect until next year because the state Legislature must first codify it.
Copyright 2002 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.
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