1. Michigan College Access Network
“Access to Higher Education for Undocumented Students: Implications for Professional Practice”
Training Workshop:
Michigan College Access Network
Monday, April 30th, 2012

2. National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good
Mission: To significantly increase awareness, understanding, commitment, and action relative to the public service role of higher education in the United States.

3. Our Research
To explore how colleges and universities negotiate laws that constrain undocumented students’ educational access and reconcile them with institutional values, governance arrangements, professional norms, and local circumstances.

4. Why Study Undocumented Students?
Link to video:

5. Demographics of Undocumented Students
Nearly 1/3 of immigrant population in US is undocumented
Approximately 12 million people total
9.6 million are from Latin America
7 million are from Mexico
Approximately 2 million children are undocumented immigrants in the US.
An estimated 65,000 undocumented children graduate from high school each year

6. Policy Context: Federal
Plyler vs. Doe of 1982
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of (IIRIRA)
Proposed DREAM Act
Add section show how is this ambiguous (Kim) 6

7. Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act
The DREAM Act would do the following:
Repeal existing legislation and enable undocumented students to receive in-state tuition.
Students will be eligible for Federal Work-Study and Student Loans.
Provide a pathway to citizenship for those who meet certain provisions:
Completion of two-years of college
Military service

8. State Policy Trends INCLUSIVE Trends (12 States)
12 States with In-State Residency Tuition (ISRT)
CA, CT, IL, KS, MD, NE, NM, NY, RI,TX, UT, WA
4 States offer some type of aid: CA, IL, NM, TX
RESTRICTIVE Trends (8 States)
6 States explicitly prohibit ISRT
AZ, CO, GA, IN, OK, WI
3 States ban admission for some or all: AL, GA, SC
Introduce legislation with examples of Wisconsin and North Carolina…one more map slide to follow

9. Inclusive and Restrictive State Policy Environments
Green = Inclusive Environments (ISRT and/or financial aid)
Red = Restrictive Environments (explicit prohibition of ISRT or full ban)

10. Important Findings on Institutional Access Policies for Undocumented Students
Institutions located in states with inclusive policies are more likely to have institutional policies that admit undocumented students.
Institutions located in states with a higher proportion of undocumented immigrants tend to report maintaining an in-state tuition policy than institutions in states with fewer undocumented immigrants.

11. Important Findings on Institutional Access Policies for Undocumented Students
Public institutions are more likely than private institutions to have policies in place that admit undocumented students.
Private and for-profit institutions are more likely to offer financial aid to undocumented students than public institutions.
Four-year colleges and universities tend to provide financial to undocumented students more so than community colleges, trade schools and graduate-level only institutions.

12. What about Michigan?
Green = Inclusive Environments (ISRT and/or financial aid)
Red = Restrictive Environments (explicit prohibition of ISRT or full ban)

13. What Role Do you Play?
Legally, K-12 school personnel cannot inquire about the immigration status of students or their parents.
Undocumented students may not even be aware of their legal status.
Confidant. Advocate. Resource.
Past research and the current study has shown the higher education policy community to be supportive of improving undocumented students’ access to postsecondary education, particularly through federal legislation such as the DREAM Act
However, the extent to which professional associations such as AACRAO and NASFAA are able to influence institutional leaders on the issue of undocumented students should not be taken for granted.
For the institutions that ARE aware of NASFAA’s policy position, it has important effects
BUT only half indicated they were aware! Much room for improvement here
Associations may provide legitimacy, but also support and resources
*The College Board

14. Advising Matters
Establish a college-going culture as early as possible for all students.
Explain the requirements for federal financial aid to students and parents.
Know your state's laws and stay up to date.
Let students know there are scholarships available.
Past research and the current study has shown the higher education policy community to be supportive of improving undocumented students’ access to postsecondary education, particularly through federal legislation such as the DREAM Act
However, the extent to which professional associations such as AACRAO and NASFAA are able to influence institutional leaders on the issue of undocumented students should not be taken for granted.
For the institutions that ARE aware of NASFAA’s policy position, it has important effects
BUT only half indicated they were aware! Much room for improvement here
Associations may provide legitimacy, but also support and resources
*The College Board

15. Resources The College Board
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
One Michigan
1michigan.org
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators NASFAA
Admissions Officers and Financial Aid Officers

16. Questions?
Thank you!