DREAM Act allows foreigners to pay in-state tuition

In 2003, the state of Texas passed a bill known as the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors). The bill allows the states to decide whether undocumented students are allowed to pay in-state tuition at a state university or college.

Not only are undocumented students allowed to pay in-state tuition, but the act provides them with a way to receive their legal residency status. However, there are certain criteria that have to be met before a student can be eligible.

According to Kay Moore of the financial aid office, "Undocumented students must be a Texas resident for at least three years, have graduated from a state high school, and must have signed an affidavit stating all the above and that they have or will file for legal residency.

"At AC, we don't have many undocumented students. A lot of them do not come in because they are undocumented."

Daniel "Danny" Rodas is not one of those students. Rodas' family came from Guatemala in Central America to Texas five years ago. Rodas now attends Amarillo College, where he is majoring in mass communication. The Rodas family is in the process of getting legal residency.

Rodas is one of the few undocumented students who benefit from the DREAM Act at AC. Under the act, Rodas is allowed to pay in-state tuition. Although undocumented students pay in-state tuition, they are not eligible to receive any kind of federal aid.

Students seeking financial aid can fill out the TAFSA and receive state aid.

"We encourage them to come in and come to the financial aid office to see if they are eligible for state aid," Moore said.

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona is one who disagrees with the DREAM Act. Kyl tried to offer a new amendment on the issue stating that any state allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition would offer the same to legal U.S residents. Kyl was defeated when the amendment came up for vote.

Jeff Synder, a business administration major, said he agrees with what Kyl proposed.

"I think it's great they're trying to get an education, but we should be on an even playing field, because we can't cross state lines and pay in-state tuition," Synder said.

Texas was one of the first states to pass such a law. Several other states remain undecided on the issue.

When he graduates, Rodas plans to stay in Texas.

Encouraging others to do as he has, Rodas said, "You get to learn, and nobody can take that away."