Undocumented college students in Connecticut want the General Assembly to allow equal access to institutional financial aid for all students regardless of their immigration status.
The students and lawmakers held a press conference at the state Capitol on Thursday. They want to change the rules on how institutional aid is given out at the state’s public colleges and universities.
Those schools set aside a proportion of tuition fees to be used as institutional aid. The funds go to students who demonstrate financial need.
Undocumented students pay full tuition. That means they contribute towards institutional aid, but the state doesn’t allow them to receive the aid.
Angelica Idrovo, a student at Naugatuck Valley Community College, said having access to the aid would make it easier to get her degree.
"Working two jobs at a time.. it’s not easy to be 19 and work a full-time and a part-time and go to school, so institutional aid would be everything for me," she said. "I think it would be everything for everyone because I will contribute to the community. I will contribute to this amazing country and you guys will help me."
State Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) is in favor of allowing undocumented students to get institutional aid. He said it’s only fair to those students.
"These are students who are paying tuition, who are making a contribution to their own education," he said. "And, in equity, they should be able to draw on a pool of aid that is given to other students who have paid that tuition."
Looney said young people seeking a higher education, regardless of their background, will be better able to contribute to Connecticut. He said the state needs to have the best educated, best workforce in the nation to compete in a challenging economy.
