Financial Aid for Illegal Immigrant Students Fuels Debate at University

New York University and several other United States colleges have been granting financial aid to students with illegal status which has stirred some serious controversy. Since Obama’s Executive Action announcement, opportunities such as NYU’s tuition assistance for aliens has been upsetting students and citizens nationwide.

Citizens argue that the financial aid that is being given to these illegal immigrant students are given at the expense of American students who are in need of similar opportunities. New York University made a statement saying the aid given to illegal immigrants is not taken away from American students.

“This is not taking away from anybody. This is a formalized way of making sure these students know they’re welcome,” says N.Y.U.’s admissions officer.

New York legislator passed a ‘DREAM Act’ which will make illegal immigrants eligible for state tuition breaks and college savings plans – however budget strict Republicans are opposing the plan.

Marshall College in Pennsylvania and Franklin College are two other high education facilities that are giving financial aid to illegal students.

States such as California and Texas now have alien eligible state financial-aid programs, and nearly a dozen other states have adopted the prerequisite, that if the alien attended a U.S. high school they are eligible for in-state college tuition.