Category: Publications

Many immigrants come to the United States with the belief that their children will have expanded college opportunities compared to those available in their countries of birth. However, undocumented immigrants’ college enrollment figures do not mirror that belief. Nienhusser (2013) noted that more research is needed in the area of undocumented students’ college choice process …

Read more “Bridging the gap: Guiding the college search of undocumented students”

This op-ed advocates for Connecticut to enact legislation that would grant state financial aid to undocumented students. Connecticut is one of only 18 states that grants in-state resident tuition to certain undocumented students. However, the state does not permit its undocumented students to receive state financial aid. This piece argues that Connecticut’s inaction has likely …

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This article examines the case of how the City University of New York (CUNY)—its central administrative offices and two of its community colleges—has addressed the issue of college access for undocumented immigrants in its implementation of New York’s college in-state resident tuition (ISRT) policy for this population. It highlights the role of implementers—those individuals who …

Read more “Role of community colleges in the implementation of postsecondary education enrollment policies for undocumented students”

In recent years, some states in the United States have enacted policies that grant some higher education benefits—primarily in-state resident tuition eligibility—to certain undocumented students. While in existence since 2001, little is known of the role of high school institutional agents in implementing such policies. This study describes the efforts of seven New York City …

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Study examining microaggressions undocumented students face during their college choice process, and the impact these microaggressions have on their lives.

Every year about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools. A major obstacle to their attending college is not being eligible for in-state tuition. Today, nine states permit it while four prohibit it. Even if the federal DREAM Act passes, state policy decisions will continue to strongly shape college opportunities for undocumented students. This …

Read more “Undocumented immigrants and state higher education policy: The politics of in-state tuition eligibility in Texas and Arizona”

In 2002, New York became the fourth state to offer in-state tuition rates to certain undocumented immigrants enrolling in its public postsecondary institutions. Although enacted over seven years ago, a thorough analysis of the implementation of this policy has not been conducted. Undocumented immigrants in the U.S., most of them Latino, encounter economic and social …

Read more “Implementation of college in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants in New York”

In 2003, Lumina Foundation for Education launched a major initiative, “Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count,” to help more community college students succeed, particularly those of color and/or from low-income families. To inform this effort, Lumina commissioned an audit of state policies on community college access, success, and accountability in the seven original participating states: …

Read more “Helping students enter and succeed: Access, success, and accountability policies in the “Achieving the Dream” states”

In 2003, the Lumina Foundation for Education launched a major initiative, “Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count,” to increase student success at community colleges. This initiative focuses on colleges with high enrollments of low-income students and students of color. In the first round, 27 colleges in five states were selected. The initiative aims to help …

Read more “State policies to achieve the dream in five states: An audit of state policies to aid student access to and success in community colleges in the first five Achieving the Dream states”