Tuition arguments misguided

Every tax is a pay cut. Every tax cut is a pay raise.
Citizens for Limited Taxation

Tuition arguments misguided Friday, December 31, 2004

Genoveffa Grieci, Framingham Metrowest Daily News

This is in response to Nicolas Sanchez: "Don't reward lawbreakers with tuition break," Dec. 19.
Once again, Mr. Sanchez offers misguided facts to the American public regarding the in-state tuition legislation that would allow immigrant students to access in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.
Students who are not legal permanent residents will show that they attended a MA high school for at least three years and have received a diploma. Students will also have filed an application to become legal permanent residents of Massachusetts or are in the process of doing so. This legislation will not provide any additional benefits to immigrant students. Students will not be able to access financial aid, scholarships or loans. It would only provide students the same equal access to in-state tuition rates as other MA residents.
Students affected by the in-state Tuition legislation have lived in Massachusetts for most of their lives, some having lived and attended school for the 10-12 years. These students were brought to Massachusetts by their parents looking for work and greater opportunities, and often grew up not knowing their immigration status.
This legislation would not be a drain on state budgets as Mr. Sanchez leads us to believe. Immigrant students have been paying into the system. They and their families work, pay taxes, and are an important part of our state's healthy economy. Public colleges and universities would receive additional tuition and fees from new students who would not otherwise have atttended. According to the MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy) Coalition, the Board of Higher Education, which has endorsed the initiative, cites that the pending legislation would result in about $1.8 in new revenues from tuition and fees. Community Colleges, State Colleges and UMASS-Boston have all supported this legislation and believe that it will not displace any other students.
These students have proved their academic eligibility, passed the required MCAS exams and are qualifed enough to be accepted to college. They are invested in their future. Let's not put any more roadblocks in front of them!

Tuition arguments misguided	Friday, December 31, 2004
Genoveffa Grieci, Framingham	Metrowest Daily News
This is in response to Nicolas Sanchez: "Don't reward lawbreakers with tuition break," Dec. 19. Once again, Mr. Sanchez offers misguided facts to the American public regarding the in-state tuition legislation that would allow immigrant students to access in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. Students who are not legal permanent residents will show that they attended a MA high school for at least three years and have received a diploma. Students will also have filed an application to become legal permanent residents of Massachusetts or are in the process of doing so. This legislation will not provide any additional benefits to immigrant students. Students will not be able to access financial aid, scholarships or loans. It would only provide students the same equal access to in-state tuition rates as other MA residents. Students affected by the in-state Tuition legislation have lived in Massachusetts for most of their lives, some having lived and attended school for the 10-12 years. These students were brought to Massachusetts by their parents looking for work and greater opportunities, and often grew up not knowing their immigration status. This legislation would not be a drain on state budgets as Mr. Sanchez leads us to believe. Immigrant students have been paying into the system. They and their families work, pay taxes, and are an important part of our state's healthy economy. Public colleges and universities would receive additional tuition and fees from new students who would not otherwise have atttended. According to the MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy) Coalition, the Board of Higher Education, which has endorsed the initiative, cites that the pending legislation would result in about $1.8 in new revenues from tuition and fees. Community Colleges, State Colleges and UMASS-Boston have all supported this legislation and believe that it will not displace any other students. These students have proved their academic eligibility, passed the required MCAS exams and are qualifed enough to be accepted to college. They are invested in their future. Let's not put any more roadblocks in front of them!

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