Press Releases
04/27/2018
Gov. Malloy Signs Legislation Permitting Access to Financial Aid for Connecticut Dreamers
Legislation Builds upon a Law Governor Malloy Signed in 2011 Permitting In-State College Tuition Rates to Undocumented Connecticut Students
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(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today signed into law legislation allowing undocumented students who attend Connecticut public colleges and universities the opportunity to qualify for the state’s system of financial aid. Previously, state law denied access to the financial aid system for these students, despite the fact that they were required to pay into it through their existing tuition.
When he signed the bill, the Governor explained that changing the law is not only the fair thing to do, but it also better prepares the state to compete in the global economy by ensuring that Connecticut’s workforce remains among the best educated and most skilled in the country.
“In Connecticut, we pride ourselves on not only our commitment to education but also our history of compassion, fairness, and equality,” Governor Malloy said. “The bottom line of what we are doing here is not controversial – it allows students who are already attending our colleges and universities and already paying into our financial aid system with the ability to access that very system for which they are currently ineligible through no fault of their own. We are talking about young people whose dream is to seek higher education, work here and contribute to our state’s economy. Connecticut’s workforce is second-to-none, and by increasing access to post-secondary education we are telling employers and businesses across our globe that we have the labor force to fill the jobs of tomorrow.”
The legislation is Senate Bill 4, An Act Assisting Students Without Legal Immigration Status with the Cost of College. It passed both the House and the Senate with broad, bipartisan support. It took effect immediately upon receiving the Governor’s signature.
“Dreamers should absolutely be able to participate in the financial aid system that they contribute to – it’s a matter of basic fairness, and it’s an important part of building an educated workforce,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “We are a nation built by immigrants just like the Dreamers. Men and women who are informed and engaged in our communities, who work hard, and who love this nation. Connecticut proudly ensures these young people who have called the U.S. home for most of their lives have the same opportunity to build a strong future as everyone else.”
State tax dollars are not used for the financial aid system – it is funded through a need and merit-based pool that students attending the schools are required to pay into through their tuition. Federal Pell grants and state aid provided through the Roberta Willis Scholarship will still be unavailable to this group of students.
The legislation builds upon a law that Governor Malloy signed in 2011 (and expanded in 2015) permitting undocumented students who were raised and educated in Connecticut with the ability to pay in-state tuition rates for the state’s colleges and universities. Those rates are extended only to those who have completed at least two years of high school within the state, where they also must have graduated or earned an equivalent diploma.
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