In-state tuition plan receives support
Colleges back plan for undocumented students
NASHVILLE - Tennessee’s largest college system on Friday endorsed legislation that would allow undocumented students to pay the same as many of their peers to attend a public college.
State law requires undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition, which is often two or three times higher than the in-state rates Tennessee residents pay. Sen. Todd Gardenhire, RChattanooga, and Rep. Mark White, RMemphis, are sponsoring a bill that would allow most undocumented graduates of Tennessee high schools to pay in-state tuition at schools like Volunteer State Community College or the University of Tennessee.
During its quarterly board meeting, the Tennessee Board of Regents — which oversees the state’s community and technical colleges — voted to support the Republican lawmakers’ work. Barbara U. Prescott, a regent from Memphis who pushed the board to support the bill, said the current system turns a wide swath of students away from higher education.
“When we do not allow in-state tuition to these undocumented students, we really are denying them access,” she said. “They just really cannot pay the out-of-state tuition.”
Undocumented students already face an uphill climb into higher education. Even undocumented students with a deferred action, a federal designation that allows them to live and work legally in the United States, cannot qualify for federal or state aid that makes college possible for millions.
The Board of Regents has supported past efforts to extend in-state tuition to undocumented students, arguing that it could boost enrollment and ultimately strengthen the state’s workforce. On Friday Prescott framed the issue of tuition as a matter of common sense, noting that Tennessee already spends money to educate undocumented students from kindergarten to senior year of high school.
“We have educated them and encouraged them and prepared them,” she said. “We have many of these students in Memphis and Shelby County that work so hard. They are so dedicated, they want so much to be in college, and for them to not be able to get any other aid, and then on top of that to have to pay out-of-state tuition, just really robs them of access.”
Gov. Bill Haslam has offered emphatic support for the bill this year, posing for photos alongside undocumented students on the steps of the Capitol. The bill also has cleared early critical hurdles in the Tennessee General Assembly, although it still needs to get through multiple committees before a final vote.
Critics of similar legislation have said in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants was unfair to those who entered the country legally. Critics also said it could encourage more undocumented immigrants to come to Tennessee. None of the regents were critical during their meeting.
“These are Tennesseans,” said Alex Fitzner, the faculty regent who teaches at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville. “We’ve educated them in our schools. Let’s continue educating them so they can contribute to our workforce and contribute to our economy and contribute to our culture.” Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-7265986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.