Tuition break for illegal immigrants

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The regents of the prestigious University of California system Thursday gave conditional approval to a new tuition program that will allow certain non-residents, including illegal immigrants, to pay the same tuition as that for legal residents.

The Board of Regents voted 17-5 in favor of the measure that will allow graduates of California high schools to pay in-state tuition whether they are in the United States legally or not. The move will cut annual tuition for the affected students from nearly $15,000 paid by non-residents of California to the $3,859 charged to state residents.

UC officials said the change would affect 200-400 students enrolled at the system's nine campuses. It will also open a door to students who may not have otherwise been able to afford enrolling at prestigious UC schools such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UC San Diego.

"The exemption will make it easier for hard-working, talented students to attend the University of California," said UC President Richard C. Atkinson. "The regents' action today will also keep tuition criteria consistent with the state's policies for the California State University and California Community College campuses, which will help reduce confusion for students and parents as they consider higher education opportunities."

Hispanic activists have seen access to higher education as a key to the further economic progress of the state's Latino population. Large numbers of students who came to California illegally with their parents have gone through the entire K-12 process, but find themselves unable to afford to attend UC campuses. The only requirement of the UC plan is that the students apply for legal residency as early as possible.

Under the new plan, any student who attends a California high school for three years and graduates will be allowed to pay in-state rates if they meet enrollment criteria. Officials said the rules apply not only to immigrants, but also to American citizens who moved out of the state after graduation from high school, or are seeking graduate degrees.

The plan will not take effect until next year because the state Legislature first must codify it.