DREAMERS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN-STATE TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID

Proposition 308 passed in November ensures that any Arizonan, regardless of immigration status, who has graduated from an Arizona high school and has lived in the state for two consecutive years, is granted in-state tuition at its colleges and universities

Arizona voters narrowly passed Proposition 308 in November. Proposition 308  allows undocumented students both access to in-state tuition rates and state-funded financial aid.

It is of particular importance to “Dreamers.” These are persons who entered the United States without legal permission as children. Many of them came from Mexico and other Latin American countries and consider themselves American, having grown up and possibly only speaking English in the United States. Some may not have even been aware of their unauthorized immigrant status until they were older and unable to obtain a driver’s license or financial aid for college due to their lack of a Social Security number.

Though it passed by less than 60,000 votes, the change in treatment of undocumented immigrants  is a significant one.  Recall that in 2006, Arizona voters passed Proposition 300, which did the opposite. It  prohibited  undocumented students from receiving in-state tuition and financial aid.

According to experts, until this vote, Arizona was one of three states, including Georgia and Indiana, to specifically block undocumented students’ access to cheaper in-state tuition – making it one of the most draconian policies in the country. (Alabama and South Carolina both go a step further: prohibiting undocumented students from enrolling in any public postsecondary institution whatsoever, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.)

Yavapai Community College president Dr. Lisa Rhine has made no public comment regarding the passage of Proposition 8.  However, the Chancellor of the Maricopa Arizona Community College District, Dr.  Steven R. Gonzales, applauded the decision by Arizona voters.

Dr. Gonzales said:  “Throughout the years, MCCCD has fought to provide Arizona’s most affordable tuition for high quality associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and workforce training to all in-state students regardless of their immigration status. The passage of Proposition 308 will allow thousands of Arizona DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) students to pursue their dream of obtaining a higher education, and we look forward to serving them.”

Proposition 308 makes higher education more affordable and attainable for DACA students entering college for the first time or returning to college to learn new skills and re-enter the workforce.