Limited In-State Tuition Eligibility Leaves Massachusetts Behind Other States:
Since 2012, state Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have been eligible for in-state tuition at all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. They must meet the same requirements for establishing residency in Massachusetts that are required of a US citizen; and, provide appropriate immigration documentation to verify they are “lawful Immigrants.” However, the majority of the 11,000+ undocumented students in higher education and the vast majority of the 3,000 Dreamers graduating high school annually in the commonwealth are excluded from in-state tuition access because they are not able to obtain DACA and/or are not eligible for it.
The Opportunity to Extend Tuition Equity
The legislature is now considering the 2024 annual state budget, with a provision that would extend in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented students who meet certain criteria.
This resource includes information and data related to the benefits of extending In-state tuition and Financial Aid to Undocumented Students. The resource covers the following topics and arguments:
- Limited In-State Tuition Eligibility Leaves Massachusetts Behind Other States
- The Opportunity to Extend Tuition Equity
- A Comparison of In-State Tuition vs. Out-of-State Tuition in Massachusetts
- Benefits of Extending In-State Tuition & Financial Aid to Undocumented Students
Additional Resources
The Case for MA In-State Tuition & Financial Aid (The Presidents’ Alliance)
Massachusetts In-State Tuition 1-Pgr (thedream.us)
TuitionFairnessMA.com (Website with student stories, data, and information to support in-state tuition and financial aid in Massachusetts)
In-state Tuition/Financial Aid Requirements Chart (View Only)
Massachusetts – State Page | Higher Ed Immigration Portal
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
Supporting Higher Education for Immigrant Students in the FY24 State Budget- MIRA
The Tuition Equity Act -Youtube Video
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
Policy Brief on In-state Tuition
American Immigration Council