Gov. Jim Doyle’s recently passed budget made Wisconsin the 11th state to offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented students. The provision, passed in the 2009-2011 biennial state budget, requires universities to charge in state tuition rates to undocumented students who have lived in Wisconsin at least three years prior to graduating from high school or obtaining a GED.
In offering the in-state tuition rates, Wisconsin follows Texas, Oklahoma, New York, California, Nebraska, Kansas, Utah, Illinois, New Mexico and Washington.
"I have always wanted to go to the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and I have the grades to get in, but with no access to loans I could not afford to pay the out of state rates to attend. With in state
tuition rates, I can finally make it. It’s overwhelming, I feel like I can finally follow my dreams," Jannet, a high school student from Madison said.
Advocacy such as Voces de la Frontera, Students United for Immigrant Rights (SUFRIR) and Students United in the Struggle (SUITS) have been calling for the change since 2004.
Al Levie, teacher at Horlick High School, said the program is a great step forward for education in Wisconsin.
"As an advisor to SUFRIR and SUITS, I am extremely proud of the thousands of students who weighed in on this important issue over the last four years. They marched, rallied, testified and they held their elected politicians accountable on this issue. I truly believe if they had not struggled for it, in-state tuition would not have become a reality. In-state will remove a huge financial barrier for our immigrant students wishing to pursue a college education."
