Transcript Organizational Overview

Higher Education
for
Immigrant Students
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Dr. Roberto E. Treviño
Department of Educational Leadership / College of Education
University of North Texas / Denton, Texas 76203-1337
(Office) 940.565.2940 / (Home) 940.566.5265
(E-Mail) [email protected] / [email protected]
Alejandra Rincón
Emergency Immigrant Education Program / Houston ISD
[email protected]
(713) 779-1866 (W)
Presentation Outline
I) Categories of Immigrants
II) Issues when working with immigrant students
III) Provisions of House Bill 1403
IV) Financial Aid (FAFSA-What to watch for)
V) Description of the Coalition
1) History, Mission & Purpose
2) Areas of Work
VI) Current national legislation & other states’ initiatives
Categories of
Immigrants
Entered to the U.S very
young with parents
Undocumented
Members of families with
mixed immigration statuses
Entered with documents and
they expired (tourist or work
visa)
Entered with no documents
Can not apply for permanent
residency unless there is an
amnesty
Residents (in the process)
Students who have applied
for permanent residency
“Family reunification”
NACARA/TPS
VAWA/SAW
HRIFA/Cuban Ad. Act
Immigrants
Has filled petition
for alien relative
(I-130)
Non-residents
In-state tuition under
HB 1403
Undocumented
students
Notice of Action
Taken (I-797)
Students with visas
Workers w/ visa (H1-B)
Spouse or minor
child of permanent
resident or citizen
Intl Students (F1)
Non-immigrants
Tourist visa (B2)
In-state tuition
In-state tuition only
for H1-B and H-4
Family
Immigration Status
(Varies greatly)
School
Immigration Status
Immigration Status
(Varies greatly)
Colleges
Student
Issues when working with immigrant
students
Immigration Status
(Funding eligibility)
Privacy
Fear to disclose information that could affect family
Lack of trust that information will not be shared
Forced to use false S.S numbers or documents
Undocumented
Paperwork in process
Permanent Resident
Citizen
Refugees
Tourist visas (B2)
Temp. Protected Status
Work visas (H-4)
I.e. Africans (Sudanese)
I.e. Europeans (Bosnia)
I.e. Colombians
I.e. Salvadorans
I.e. Asians (Pakistan)
Not eligible for federal aid
Disqualified for most scholarships
Eligible for state financial aid (Texas Grant)
under HB 1403
Provisions of House Bill 1403
1. Amends a list of tuition categories in Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding a new
subsection providing that non-citizens meeting the qualifications stipulated in Section 2 of the
bill shall be deemed residents for the purpose of tuition.
2. Provides that a non-citizen shall be classified as a resident for tuition purposes if they have
lived in Tx with a parent or guardian, and
(1) graduated from public or private accredited high school, or received a GED; and
(2) attended a public or private high school for three or more years as of the date of high
school graduation;
(3) does not cover students already enrolled as international students, only those entering in
Fall 2001 semester;
(4) provides to the institution an affidavit (a sworn statement) stating that the individual will
file an application to become a permanent resident as soon as they are eligible to do so.
These requirements differentiate Texas graduates from foreign/exchange students who come to
the state from their country of origin for the express purpose of higher education.
3. Permits that a student who lives in another state with one parent, but also has a parent
who is a Texas resident, may be deemed a resident for the purpose of tuition, if the parent who
is a Texas resident continues to reside in the state, and is not delinquent on any payments of
child support.
4. Provides that a student not born in the U.S., who has filed an application with the INS that
will eventually lead to permanent resident status and/or citizenship, is deemed eligible for instate tuition.
This section will apply to those who do not meet the 3-year requirement in Section 2.
Simplifies the determination process because the eligible populations and criteria are
constantly shifting due to Congressional and court changes. Also deletes obsolete reference to
federal immigration form.
5. Adds the University of Texas at San Antonio as a participant in the current “good
neighbor” program, which enrolls Mexican nationals who have graduated from Mexican high
schools, in specified institutions at the in-state tuition rate.
6. Stipulates that the provisions of this Act apply only to tuition for terms beginning on or
after the effective date of this Act. The effective date will be the date the governor signs it, or
when it is filed without signature, which may be on or before June 17, 2001.
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
If you are an immigrant student, or know someone who is, you can go to college
regardless of your immigration status. This past June 17, 2001 HB 1403 was
signed into law. Effective beginning in Fall 2001 this law enables immigrant
students, including undocumented, to qualify as residents and receive in-state
tuition. To qualify a student must meet the following four provisions:
(1) Have graduated from a public or private high school or received a GED in TX
(2) Have resided in TX for at least 3 years, lived some of this time with a parent or
legal guardian, before the person graduated from high school or received the
(GED)
(3) Register in an institution of higher education not earlier than the Fall 2001
semester. If you have attended college before this date you DO NOT qualify.
(4) Provide the institution an affidavit stating that he/she will file an application to
become a permanent resident as soon as he/she is eligible to do so.
 Immigrant students who do not meet the 3 year requirement but who have
started a process with the INS and have filed an I-130 or I-140 are also eligible to
receive in-state tuition if they have been here for at least 12 months.
 People holding work visas (H1-B) and their dependents (H-4) can now also
receive in-state tuition at state universities. The same rule applies for NACARA
and TPS applicants among others.
Students who are classified as residents under the new law, also qualify for state
financial aid (Texas Grant and Texas Public Education Grant). To apply they
need to fill out the FAFSA even if they do not have a social security number.
They can also use the 9 digit number generated by the institution they are
attending.

Lastly, the universities have academic scholarships under which immigrant
students, regardless of their immigration status, can apply. If you are
awarded one these scholarships you will be charged in-state tuition.

If you are in the top 10% of your graduating class you automatically qualify
for admission and a competitive scholarship at public universities. You will
receive a waiver that will allow you to pay in-state tuition.
For more information you can call:
Alejandra Rincón
or log on at
HISD’s Immigrant Program, at
713-779-1866
www.go2college.org
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
FAFSA-What to watch for
– STEP ONE
–
Question 8. Social Security Number (If you don’t have one write the ID number
given by the university or provide your TAX ID number)
–
–
–
Question 13. If you are undocumented mark that you are “not a citizen or eligible
non-citizen”. If you have started the process with INS provide the “A” number that
they have assigned to your case.
Question 24. Write down the state where you have lived during the past 12
months. This question asks about the place where you have established domicile.
Question 34. If you are not a permanent resident, you don’t qualify for “work-study”.
– STEP TWO
–
–
Question 36. Complete this if you support yourself. If you have not filed your taxes
yet, choose option C: “I will not file”.
Question 42. Provide an estimate of how much you earned during the year, even if
you didn’t receive the W-2 forms. If your salary is based on tips, provide the
amount.
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
FAFSA-What to watch for
– STEP FOUR
–
–
–
–
–
Question 60-63. Write down your parents’ names and social security numbers. If
they don’t have one, just write 000-00-0000.
Questions 64. Write down the number of people that live in your parents’
household. Count yourself, even if you don’t live with them. Include also your
parents’ other children & other people that live with your parents and who receive
their financial support.
Question 66. Write down the state where your parents have lived for more than 12
months. This question is related to your domicile and not your immigration status.
Question 70. If your parents have not filed their taxes yet, choose option C: “My
parents are not going to file”.
Questions 76-77. Provide an estimate of how much your parents earned during the
year, even if they didn’t receive the W-2 forms. If their salary is based on tips or is
paid in cash, provide the estimated amount.
– STEP SIX
–
Question 86. Write down the information of the universities that you have applied
for. Remember that if you are using the ID number given by one given university,
you will have to fill out a different FAFSA for each university. If you are using your
Tax ID number, you can write here up to six universities where you want to apply.
History:
The Coalition of Higher Education for Immigrant Students was
formed during the fall of 1999 to support immigrant students in
Southwest Houston. Since January of 2000, the Coalition has
broadened its focus to assist immigrants from the Houston and
Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas.
Mission:
To identify and remove the barriers to higher education for
targeted immigrant students
Purpose:
To promote research and policy development, build
collaborative partnerships, secure funding and conduct
community outreach to provide broader educational
opportunities for immigrant students.
Areas of work
A
A - Collaborative Partnerships
B - Outreach
C - Counseling
Collaborative
Partnerships
Colleges & Univ.
Prairie View A&M
Stephen F. Austin University
U. of Houston-Downtown
U. of Houston-Central
University of North Texas
Texas Southern University
Houston Community College
San Jacinto Comm. College
School district offices
Career & Technology (CATE)
Student Support Services
District offices
Community Organizations
Communities in Schools
National Association of
Hispanic Nurses
Mexican Consulate
Society of Hispanic and
Professional Engineers
B
Educational
Outreach
Students
Career Day- City wide event
Career Days at universities
College Nights at High Schools
Immigration Forums at schools
Tutoring classes
C
Parents
Parent conferences
Summer Programs
Counseling &
Support Services
Students
Through appointments at HS
Through follow up calls
Through mail outs
Research
Center for Immigration ResearchUniversity of Houston-Central
Legislative efforts
Counselors
College Board Conference
Communities in Schools summit
Counselors’ workshop
HCC board (May 2000)
Higher Ed. Cord. Board (July 2000)
House Bill 1403 (Spring 2001)
State Representative R. Noriega
HR 1918 (Student Adjustment Act)
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
National Legislation
(Student Adjustment Act HR 1918)
• To qualify a student would be required to meet all
the following criteria:
• Is under 21 years old
• Is attending Secondary School at 7th grade or
above or applying for or attending college
• Has lived in the US for at least 5 years
• Has maintained good moral character during the
last five years
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
National Legislation
(Student Adjustment Act HR 1918)
• Repeals Section 505 of the IIRIRA of 1996 thereby eliminating
a restriction on a state’s ability to provide in-state tuition or
higher education benefits to residents without regard to
immigration status
• Adjustment of Status is permanent
• Immigrant must be physically present in US on the day of
enactment
• Information furnished by applicant may not be used for other
purposes
• Proof of extreme hardship not required
• Adjustments under the Act exempt from numerical limitations
• Applicants are eligible for federal education assistance and
for most other federal programs
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
Other states’ initiatives
• California. A bill passed (AB 540) this past October
12/01. All provisions are the same as in HB 1403.
• Utah. Exemption From Nonresident Tuition (HB
144) bill was approved by the House Education
Committee.
• North Carolina commissioned a study to see if it can
afford to pass such a law while activists in Georgia
are pushing for proposals in their state.
• Some community colleges in Arizona, Illinois, and
Kentucky are acting locally to allow undocumented
students to pay in-state tuition
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
Other states’ & colleges countermoves
• City University of New York (CUNY) ended
their 12 year policy of allowing
undocumented immigrants who attended a
New York high school to pay the in-state
tuition.
• Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum vetoed
a legislative decision allowing aliens to pay
in-state tuition arguing that the 1996
immigration law prohibits benefits to aliens
unless the same benefit is provided to all
US citizens
Higher Education for Immigrant Students
Visit our website at:
www.go2college.org
Dr. Roberto E. Treviño
Department of Educational Leadership / College of Education
University of North Texas / Denton, Texas 76203-1337
(Office) 940.565.2940 / (Home) 940.566.5265
(E-Mail) [email protected] / [email protected]
Alejandra Rincón
Emergency Immigrant Education Program / Houston ISD
[email protected]
(713) 779-1866 (W)