A new tuition rate goes into effect for undocumented students at the Metropolitan State College of Denver today.
In June, the college's board of trustees voted to lower the out-of-state $7,992 per semester tuition rate to $3,358.30 per semester for undocumented, Colorado-educated students. In order to qualify, an undocumented student had to have attended an in-state high school for at least three years, have graduated from a Colorado high school or received a G.E.D., be in good legal standing aside from their undocumented status and prove that they plan to seek lawful status. In-state students currently pay $2,152 per semester.
The board's decision has come under scrutiny from Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, former Republican Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo and others.
Not long after Metro State announced their vote, Suthers issued a legal opinion that the decision is "not supported by governing law."
The decision however has also been supported as an innovative solution to the failing of the Legislature to pass the ASSET bill.
“There’s a lot of things to expect and you know it’s really exciting that I’m finally fulfilling this dream,” 18-year-old Metro State University of Denver freshman Dalia Quezada told KDVR, adding that she wouldn't be able to attend college without scholarships and the school's special rate.
Photo via Metro State University of Denver's Facebook page.