The proposed project in the Colorado State House of Representatives aims to provide greater access to higher education for undocumented students who can easily access to be eligible to study university.
Bill HB22-1155 aims to reform the classification of students, so that they are considered state students or state enrollment in less time and can access state education benefits for university financing. Mountain Dreamers is one of the local pro-migrant organizations that has supported this type of initiative that will benefit migrants in the state.
Bill HB22-1155 aims to reform the classification of students, so that they are considered state students or state enrollment in less time and can access state education benefits for university financing. Mountain Dreamers is one of the local pro-migrant organizations that has supported this type of initiative that will benefit migrants in the state.
Citizens and legal residents need only have lived in the state for one year to qualify for state benefits. Also, the law indicates that students must enter the university during the first twelve months after graduation.
Thus, the new requirements would be: The student graduated from a Colorado high school, or was physically present in the state for at least one school year prior to the date they completed an educational equivalency exam in Colorado. The student has resided and been physically present in Colorado for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to enrolling in the university.
In this way, thousands of undocumented students could classify as state students since they meet the requirements established by the new bill. And, in addition, it does not require proof of citizenship and residency. Likewise, it would facilitate access to education also for students who are citizens or residents.
Regarding the current law of 2013, the state representative and main promoter of the proposal, Julie McCluskie, explained that the law has been a success since it has allowed thousands of undocumented students to access university studies.
Peter Bakken, CEO of Mountain Dreamers, explained: “Without in-state tuition, most of them probably wouldn't have gone to college. It would have been prohibitively expensive. What this bill does is expand it to include more Colorado high school students because it removes some of the more stringent requirements.”
Other local and public organizations supporting HB22-1155 include Colorado Mountain College, the Summit Board of County Commissioners, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the Family & Intercultural Resource Center.
