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

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.

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.

Why Study Undocumented Students? Link to video: http://youtu.be/n85CR5HOUzM

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

Policy Context: Federal Plyler vs. Doe of 1982 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) Proposed DREAM Act Add section 505 - show how is this ambiguous (Kim) 6

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Questions? Thank you!