A state Senate panel has approved a measure that would let students with undocumented immigration status compete for financial aid at Illinois’ 4-year universities.
The student ACCESS bill made it through the Senate Higher Education Committee Tuesday. Only Democrats backed the measure as it moved to the full Senate.
During a press conference earlier in the day, some students talked about their families’ struggles paying for school, since they aren’t eligible to receive federal aid.
State Representative Carol Ammons of Urbana, says she’s met a number of students who can’t apply for scholarships, due to their status.
“Four year universities can provide through their limited resources, support to students – who, unfortunately, can’t work enough hours in a day to pay for the cost of a four-year college in the state," Ammons said. "I think long-term, we need to deal with that.”
Republicans voting against the plan included Senator Kyle McCarter of Lebanon, who says making the funding available to undocumented students would increase competition for "scarce resources.’"
The bill has the support of University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen and former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.