“Access to Higher Education for Undocumented Students: Implications for Professional Practice”

Training Workshop: Michigan College Access Network

Monday, April 30th, 2012

National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good

Mission: To significantly increase awareness, understanding, commitment, and action relative to the public service role of higher education in the United States.

Our Research

To explore how colleges and universities negotiate laws that constrain undocumented students’ educational access and reconcile them with institutional values, governance arrangements, professional norms, and local circumstances.

Why Study Undocumented Students?

Demographics of Undocumented Students

Nearly 1/3 of immigrant population in US is undocumented Approximately 12 million people total 9.6 million are from Latin America 7 million are from Mexico

Approximately 2 million children are undocumented immigrants in the US.

An estimated 65,000 undocumented children graduate from high school each year

Policy Context: Federal

Plyler vs. Doe of 1982

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA)

Proposed DREAM Act

Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act

The DREAM Act would do the following:

Repeal existing legislation and enable undocumented

students to receive in-state tuition.

Students will be eligible for Federal Work-Study and

Student Loans.

Provide a pathway to citizenship for those who meet

certain provisions:

•Completion of two-years of college•Military service

State Policy Trends

INCLUSIVE Trends (12 States) 12 States with In-State Residency Tuition (ISRT)

CA, CT, IL, KS, MD, NE, NM, NY, RI,TX, UT, WA 4 States offer some type of aid: CA, IL, NM, TX

RESTRICTIVE Trends (8 States) 6 States explicitly prohibit ISRT

AZ, CO, GA, IN, OK, WI 3 States ban admission for some or all: AL, GA, SC

Inclusive and Restrictive State Policy Environments

Important Findings on Institutional Access Policies for Undocumented Students

Institutions located in states with inclusive policies are more likely to have institutional policies that admit undocumented students.

Institutions located in states with a higher proportion of undocumented immigrants tend to report maintaining an in-state tuition policy than institutions in states with fewer undocumented immigrants.

Important Findings on Institutional Access Policies for Undocumented Students

Public institutions are more likely than private institutions to have policies in place that admit undocumented students.

Private and for-profit institutions are more likely to offer financial aid to undocumented students than public institutions.

Four-year colleges and universities tend to provide financial to undocumented students more so than community colleges, trade schools and graduate-level only institutions.

What about Michigan?

What Role Do you Play?

Legally, K-12 school personnel cannot inquire about the immigration status of students or their parents.

Undocumented students may not even be aware of their legal status.

Confidant. Advocate. Resource.

*The College Board

Advising Matters

Establish a college-going culture as early as possible for all students.

Explain the requirements for federal financial aid to students and parents.

Know your state's laws and stay up to date.

Let students know there are scholarships available.

*The College Board

Resources

The College Board

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

One Michigan 1michigan.org

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators NASFAA

Admissions Officers and Financial Aid Officers

Questions?

Thank you!