by Communications intern Jenna Chambers
Millions of students matriculate at universities across the United States every year, arriving at their respective institutions with ambition and determination to complete a degree in hopes of working their dream job following graduation.
The feeling of exhilaration from seeing the word “Congratulations” at the top of the college acceptance letter puts students one step closer to achieving their dreams.
Thinking about financing your education is the second—less desirable—step in pursuing higher education. As undergraduate tuition fees increase each year, paying for college can become a paralyzing thought. How am I going to afford my dream?
This question poses a different challenge for undocumented students who must navigate higher education without legal status. According to the Immigration Policy Center, nearly 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school with fewer than 6,500 attending college and universities.
Lack of financial assistance is a major barrier often preventing immigrant students from pursuing a college degree. For undocumented students
who do go on to attend college, lack of financial aid prevents four-year graduation or even completion of a degree.
Undocumented students in Illinois are currently ineligible for public university scholarships as well as state and federal funding including grants. Student groups at universities across Illinois advocated for the passage of HB3528—a house bill that would have granted Illinois students who meet certain requirements eligibility to receive financial aid and grants from four-year public institutions and an opportunity to apply for the MAP grant.
The legislation was driven by the University of Illniois system, student groups from universities throughout the state and immigrant advocates like the Latino Policy Forum.
“Our community has faced many barriers to succeed in this country,” said Vishal Disawar, student at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. “By getting access to education, it would allow for us undocumented immigrants to give back to this country and help it grow.”
Students and allies from the Fearless Undocumented Alliance (FUA) at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) hosted a Rally for Higher Education on April 28 to raise awareness of the HB328 bill and what it means for undocumented students and their families.
“I’m proud to be a part of this effort,” said Mateo Uribe, student at the University of Illinois-Chicago and FUA member. “This bill means a lot to me, not only for what it stands for, but for its underline message behind it—community progress.”
As students chanted “undocumented and unafraid”, they shared their stories and urged constituents to call their representatives and advocate to pass this bill that would allow thousands of students an equal opportunity to achieve their educational goals.
One message came across while hearing students share their story: silence is not an option. With more than one million children without legal status reportedly living in the United States, access to equal educational opportunities and support for undocumented students contribute to the economy.
While the legislation passed out of the Higher Education Committee in the Illinois House of Representatives, there was not enough support to pass the bill this year. Advocates plan to meet with elected officials all summer and into the fall in order to continue building support for equal access to financial aid.
They plan to work with elected officials to reintroduce the legislation next January and make a concerted effort for passage through the Illinois General Assembly, which would make Illinois the 6th state in the nation to provide students with access to financial assistance from four-year public universities.
“The fact that we have gotten this far with the efforts from students, community members and allies is empowering to me and my community,” said Uribe. “There is still a lot work to do, but the successes of the bill has us optimistic about the future.”
Disawar is the founder and director of RISE, an organization dedicated to using technology to engage students to advocate for socially conscious policies. Disawar notes that one way to spred the word about HB3528 is to visit the RISE website to learn more about the bill and how it is affecting students and families.
“Pass around the link to your friends to have them read stories of undocumented students struggling to get higher education,” said Disawar.
This effort would build upon prior initiatives aimed at making college more affordable for eligible undocumented students, including the provision of in-state tuition and scholarship opportunities through the Illinois Dream Fund.
Undocumented students are ambitious and motivated students who have dreams and unique barriers to overcome in order to achieve goals. This initiative is a symbol of hope and an opportunity to pursue a college education.
For more information about the Forum’s advocacy efforts for equal access to financial aid contact senior policy analyst Martin Torres.
PHOTO: Flickr/dcJohn