There are more than 65,000 undocumented students who graduate from high schools across the nation every year.
Although many of them have been in the United States most of their lifetime, they do not receive the same benefits of higher education that citizens do.
The California Dream Act, Senate Bill 160, sits on the desk of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, anxiously anticipating his signature on the dotted line.
He has until the end of the month to sign or veto the bill.
As of Oct. 3, the bill had not yet been signed, according to Gena Grebitus of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s press office.
The bill would allow illegal immigrants to receive state financial aid for California’s public colleges and universities.
Undocumented students that have attended high school in California for three or more years, who have graduated from a California high school, or who have the equivalent thereof, would be eligible to apply for financial aid.
“We have about 8,000 students at Pierce College that use the Board of Governors (BOG) fee waiver.
“This number does not include students that [fill out a] Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or [apply for] other types of financial aid,” said Marco De La Garza, dean of Student Services.
“California Assembly Bill 540 does allow undocumented students who have attended high school in California for three or more years to be eligible to pay in-state tuition of $20 a unit,” said De La Garza.
The cost of tuition for students who have not attended high school in California for three or more years is $179 a unit, whether they are a citizen or not.
Although undocumented students receive the benefit of in-state costs, they are not eligible for BOG fee waivers or federal aid.
If the bill is passed, undocumented students will be able to apply for and receive fee waivers and federal aid.
Blanca Oviedo is the supervisor of financial aid at Pierce.
“I come from a background of people who have struggled to go to college. The bill will help people meet their educational goals that they maybe once thought impossible,” Oviedo said.
“A lot of people cannot afford to go to college without financial aid because they have to work to support themselves and their families.
“There are almost 2,500 students that use FAFSA,” she said.
Enrollment at Pierce is now the highest that it has been in 22 years, with more than 20,000 students enrolled this semester.
If undocumented students were able to apply for financial aid, the number of students could significantly increase.
Drop-out rates in California high schools may also decrease if the bill is signed. Undocumented students are more likely to drop out of school than are U.S. citizens.
Being able to go to college with financial help may encourage more students to continue their education.
“I work with recruitment. We have students that have worked hard in school their whole lives and now are at a point where they are stuck,” said De La Garza.
“They are limited by work and having to support themselves and not being able to afford college.
“If we educate our work population, it will not only benefit the students, but the state as a whole,” he said.
If more undocumented students attend California colleges and universities, more tax dollars will be spent on their education.
This bill is one of controversy, and people are not sure if Schwarzenegger will sign or veto.
He is not in favor of illegal immigrants being granted driver’s licenses, but he does support in-state tuition for undocumented students.
Many people are eagerly waiting for the governor to make his decision, to see if their dreams can become realities.