Connecticut now offers in state tuition ;)

source: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/S...or-1394459.php

HARTFORD -- After nearly nine hours of debate Tuesday, members of the state Senate approved a proposal to allow the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at Connecticut's colleges and universities.

The vote essentially guarantees that the proposal will become law, as the state House of Representatives has already approved the measure and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has indicated that he will sign the bill.

"I believe that any child carried over our borders as an infant (who) graduates from one of our high schools should have a future in Connecticut," said Malloy, who was in Danbury on Tuesday night for the annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey dinner at the Amber Room. "To deny them a future when they literally did nothing wrong is to cut off your nose to spite your face."

The proposal would allow the children of illegal immigrants who graduate from a Connecticut high school that they attended for at least four years to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.

Students who want to benefit from the lower rate would be required to sign an affidavit saying that they will seek citizenship as soon as they are eligible to do so.

Several Republican lawmakers spoke against the bill during Tuesday's debate, including state Sens. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton; Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury; and Robert Kane, R-Southbury.

"Are we taking spots away from Connecticut residents?" Kane asked.

Proponents of the bill said it would only affect about 250 state students and they would be admitted to the colleges and universities based on their academic performance.

"There is only a small number of undocumented immigrants affected by this legislation, and they would have to compete at the same level as other students," said state Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, who is chairwoman of the Legislature's Higher Education Committee.

Both Boucher and McLachlan submitted proposed amendments to the legislation.

One amendment offered by Boucher would have required students receiving the in-state rates to work in Connecticut for at least four years after college graduation. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 23-12.

"It's my understanding that some universities already offer certain programs that require students to stay in Connecticut for a certain period of time," McLachlan said from the Senate floor while the amendment was debated. "I am perplexed that there would be objections to the way the state currently operates, because that is what this amendment seeks to do."

McLachlan offered an amendment that would extend in-state tuition benefits to military veterans living outside of Connecticut.

"The idea is to attract the best of the best to Connecticut," McLachlan said on the Senate floor. "I believe this is an appropriate way for the Legislature to honor those veterans who served our country honorably."

The amendment failed 21-14.

The legislation, after Malloy signs it, is scheduled to take effect July 1.

Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/S...#ixzz1Oh4kgGLJ

Great News!! Good luck to you all out there in Connecticut..

What I'm more interested in is when the hell will Malloy sign it and will Dreamers already enrolled in state college be able to take advantage of it next semester? I know it says it goes into effect July 1st but still haven't heard of anything regarding Malloy signing it.

I thought they already signed the law ? but anyways even with the in stae tuition can you file for financial aid with a tax id?

I doubt that's part of the legislation. It's only in state tuition. Although the student should definitely fill out a FAFSA...never know if there's some sort of grant he/she may be eligible for.