Critics blast Emory University’s plan to give aid to undocumented students

Some critics of an incoming policy by Emory University to provide need-based financial aid to undocumented first-year students are suggesting the Trump administration should withhold federal funding to the private institution.

Emory officials, though, say critics have misinterpreted how the policy works.

Beginning this fall, Emory will offer “100 percent of demonstrated financial need” for undocumented undergraduate students who graduated from a U.S. high school. The financial help would come from a combination of university-based grants and scholarships, work study and loans, Emory says on its website.

Emory’s plan has been condemned this week on right-leaning websites and on social media.

Prominent Georgia Republican strategist Julianne Thompson said criticism of the policy has “lit up” Facebook and Twitter. She thinks Emory should have its federal funding withheld if it goes through with the program.

“I think it’s a terrible idea,” Thompson said Tuesday. “It’s a reward for breaking the law.”

Emory’s financial aid director John Leach stressed no federal or state funds are used for the program, which began in 2015 and was updated for this fall. Leach cited federal guidelines that say undocumented students may be eligible for aid from a college or university.

“There is a lot of misinformation that has been put forth,” Leach said.

Emory, he said, will review the prospective student’s income tax records before determining how much aid a student can receive.

The average needbased award for an undergraduate student is about $38,000 a year, Leach said. Emory’s undergraduate tuition, student housing and other fees this fall is nearly $67,000.

Leach declined to say how many undocumented students were at Emory this school year.