The cost of college tuition has skyrocketed in recent years and the issue has become a leading cause among members of the Occupy Wall Street movement, who claim education is fundamental right. They might be happy to know that help is finally on the way … for illegal immigrants.
Metro State College of Denver trustees on Thursday voted 7-1 in favor of a plan that will give illegal aliens a 58 percent tuition break, making them the first college in the country to lower tuition for non-citizens, CBS4 in Denver reports. The state legislature could decide to reduce state funding as a result, one Colorado lawmaker says.
State lawmakers shot-down a bill that would have lowered tuition for illegal immigrations during their last session. Further, CBS4 reports similar laws have been defeated five times in the last nine sessions.
CBS4 in Denver breaks down the details of the new tuition guidelines:
About 300 students would benefit from the tuition change. Those students would also have to meet admission standards. The plan would cut the cost of tuition in half for those students.
The new tuition rate breaks down like this: $6,716.60 per year for a full-time undocumented immigrant student. This compares to nearly $15,985 per year for out-of-state tuition and $4,304.40 per year for in-state tuition.
The new rate will take effect this fall.
Metro State College of Denver will officially change its name to Metro State University of Denver on July 1.
“There are no tax dollars involved, no subsidy, they don’t get anything special just a reduced tuition rate,” Metro State Trustee Terrance Carroll told CBS4.
However, some critics argue that lower tuition is in fact preferential treatment.
Colorado State Rep. Jon Becker
Colorado Rep. Jon Becker, a Republican representing Fort Morgan, Colo., argues the college is also disregarding the decision already made at the state capital.
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