Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college
Supporters say the policies widen college access for more than 500,000 immigrant students while critics warn they divert taxpayer-funded aid from citizens.
- Around 21 states and the District of Columbia now offer in-state tuition eligibility to certain illegal immigrant students, while 18 states and the District provide access to state financial aid programs.
- Texas pioneered this approach in 2001 by conditioning in-state tuition on high school completion rather than immigration status, while New York later enacted the Peralta New York State DREAM Act.
- Supporters like Gonzalez argue immigrant students contribute to local economies, citing data showing DREAM Act-eligible individuals generated an estimated $1.3 billion to New York City's gross domestic product in 2017.
- Critics like Ira Mehlman, media director for FAIR, argue these programs divert resources from citizens and told The Center Square, "Government financial aid to illegal immigrant students is wrong on three counts: fairness, fiscal policy and planning for higher education's future."
- Legal challenges persist, including a 2025 Justice Department lawsuit against Texas arguing the program violated federal law, currently on appeal at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
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41 Articles
Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible illegal immigrant students. The increased spending is heating up debate over who should receive state taxpayers-funded higher education benefits. Currently, around 21 states and the District of Columbia offer in-state tuition eligibility to certain illegal immigrant students, and 18 states and D.C. provide access to state finan…
Illegal immigrants in Illinois and across the U.S. get financial aid for college – Center Square
In Illinois, access to state financial aid through House Bill 460 was signed into law by the Gov. J.B. Pritzker in December 2025. The change made illegal immigrant students eligible for state programs such as the Monetary Award Program grant, which provides need-based financial assistance for higher education.
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Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college
(The Center Square) – State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible illegal immigrant students.
Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college <meta name=
(The Center Square) – State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible illegal immigrant students. The increased spending is heating up debate over who should receive state taxpayers-funded higher education benefits. Currently, around 21 states and the District of Columbia offer in-state tuition eligibility to certain illegal immigrant students, and 18 states and D.C. provide access to state finan…
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