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The Situation:
- Right now, 50-65,000 undocumented students
graduate each year from high school in the U.S. only to face a
dead end.
- The students have no opportunity to receive
a higher education at a reasonable cost because they don’t
qualify for instate tuition. At Iowa State University, for example,
resident tuition is $4,342 per year. Non resident tuition is $13,684
per year. This is NOT including room and board.
- Nor do they have the opportunity to
work legally.
- This is disheartening and frustrating
for our undocumented youth – the problem creates a population
of youth who are unmotivated to continue even their high school
education. These youth may be tempted to join gangs, sell drugs
or participate in other forms of delinquency since there appears
to be no other option.
- This is a problem that affects us all
– not just our youth, because our youth are our future in
Iowa.
The DREAM Act:
The DREAM Act, which is being introduced
in the Senate or the Student Adjustment Act with is introduced in
the House, offers an opportunity of a promising future for undocumented
students.
- It allows undocumented students to qualify
for instate tuition and other scholarships/financial aid offered
by the state. Once again, nonresident tuition to Iowa universities
cost approximately $9-10,000 MORE than resident tuition.
- The DREAM Act also allows long-term
immigrant students with good moral character apply for legal residency.
What you can do to help:
Write your
U.S. Senator and U.S. House Representatives Tell your Senator
to support the DREAM Act (S. 1545) and your Representative to support
the companion bill the Student Adjustment Act (H.R. 1684).
Click here to:
Contact
your U.S. Senator
Contact
your U.S. Representatives
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