N.J. should give unauthorized immigrants financial aid to attend college, report says

By Kelly Heyboer, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

TRENTON — More than 300 immigrants living in the country illegally are paying in-state tuition to attend New Jersey’s four-year colleges under the state’s new Tuition Equality law, according to a new report.

But most unauthorized immigrants can’t afford to take advantage of the new law because they are not eligible for financial aid, according to the study by New Jersey Policy Perspective, a think tank based in Trenton.…

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N.J. plots a path for immigrant students

By Melissa Hayes and Monsy Alvarado, Staff Writers, The Record

For the first time since Governor Christie signed legislation allowing New Jersey residents who are in the U.S. without legal permission to pay in-state college tuition rates, Rutgers University is hosting a forum aimed at helping them get a college degree.

The forum in Newark on Saturday spotlights a decision Christie made in 2013 to sign that law, attention that comes as he prepares a possible presidential run in a Republican primary where support for immigration reform could become an issue.…

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Rutgers scholarship a milestone for immigrant activist

By Patricia Alex, Staff Writer, The Record

Governor Christie derided Giancarlo Tello and the group he was with as “professional protesters” at a recent town hall meeting, but officials at Rutgers University saw something else in the 24-year-old activist.

Tello was a leader in the successful fight to gain in-state tuition rates at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities for students like himself who are in the country illegally.…

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Christie Agrees to In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants

By Kirk Semple

The New Jersey Legislature approved legislation on Thursday that would allow students without legal immigration status to pay in-state college tuition. Gov. Chris Christie planned to sign it on Friday, a spokesman said.

The bill’s passage was assured after Mr. Christie, a Republican, struck a deal with Democratic lawmakers, who agreed to a demand of his that they change the bill to remove a provision allowing undocumented immigrants access to state financial aid programs.…

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Chris Christie signs bill granting in-state tuition to N.J. immigrants

By Christopher Baxter/The Star-Ledger

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today signed landmark legislation granting thousands of students who grew up in New Jersey but are in the country illegally the benefit of in-state tuition rates at all public colleges and universities.

Christie’s signature marks the end of a public tug-of-war over the measure, deemed the “Dream Act”, which was pared down in its final days in order for Democrats to gain the governor’s approval.…

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Reclaiming the Promise: Tuition Equity

URA-AFT hosted a phone bank at the Livingston Student Center, prompting students, faculty and staff to call on Gov. Christie and a select group of Assembly members to sign legislation granting in-state tuition to students graduating from NJ high schools even if they lack immigration documentation. Gov. Christie promised to sign legislation during the campaign, but now raises objections to the legislation under consideration.…

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Immigrants go on ‘pilgrimage’ for in-state tuition, citizenship

By Matt Friedman/The Star-Ledger

TRENTON — Noemi Medina speaks with an American accent. The 18-year-old single mother from Pennsauken went to pre-K, elementary school, middle school and high school in the United States.

But when Medina tried to enroll at Camden County Community College this year, she found herself faced with higher tuition than most other students and ineligible for state financial aid programs.…

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N.J. mayors push for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants

BY Patricia Alex, Staff Writer. The Record.

Mayors of 10 New Jersey cities have signed a letter supporting legislation that would allow some students in the United States illegally to be eligible for in-state tuition and scholarship aid at public colleges and universities.

The letter is addressed to state lawmakers and was made public on Tuesday by a group pushing for passage of the proposed law.…

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City mayors sign on in support of DREAM Act

By Darryl Isherwood/NJ.com

The mayors of 10 New Jersey cities today released a letter in support of the Dream Act, which would allow students who entered the country illegally to receive in-state tuition and scholarships at state schools.

The letter specifically backs the Senate version of the bill and is signed by the mayors of the state’s largest cities, including Newark, Jersey City, Camden, New Brunswick and Elizabeth.

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Supporters of New Jersey Dream Act rally in Jersey City

By Chinedum Emelumba

Dozens of students and community leaders rallied at the fountain in Journal Square on Friday in support of the proposed New Jersey Dream Act.

The event, organized by members of the Hudson County Community College, Phi Theta Kappa:Beta Alpha Phi International Honors Society, was intended to help push state legislators to support tuition equity for undocumented students.…

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Christie change on tuition equality may help NJ’s undocumented students

By Patricia Alex, Staff Writer, The Record.

A bill that would allow some students who are in the country illegally to pay in-state tuition rates at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities could become law by the end of the year now that Governor Christie has dropped his opposition to the measure, lawmakers say.

The move could mean a reduction in tuition rates for hundreds — if not thousands — of undocumented students, many of whom have lived in New Jersey since they were children and now pay the out-of-state rate, which is about double the cost.…

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Buono touts tuition equality for undocumented students, calls on Christie to help

By Brent Johnson/The Star-Ledger

NEW BRUNSWICK — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono today called for undocumented students living in New Jersey to be allowed to pay in-state tuition to the state’s public colleges — and pressed her opponent, Gov. Chris Christie, to also support such a move.

Currently, the children of undocumented immigrants must pay out-of-state tuition to attend public colleges and universities in New Jersey even if they grew up here.…

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