N.J. gave 500 undocumented immigrants tuition money. Here’s where they are going to college. – NJ.com
For the first time, undocumented immigrants in New Jersey are getting some help from taxpayers in paying their college tuition.
A total of 513 immigrants living in the country illegally received $1.6 million last fall through a new state program that offers them the same college financial aid offered to U.S. citizens living in New Jersey, according to statistics released by the state Higher Education Assistance Authority.
The program is the result of a new law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy last year that makes New Jersey one of less than a dozen states in the nation offering college aid to so-called “Dreamers,” who have been living in the U.S. illegally since they were children.
“The successes of these first 513 students, who are now attending county colleges, state colleges and universities and independent institutions around the state, will have a positive impact on countless additional lives,” said David Socolow, HESAA’s executive director.
More than 1,500 applications were submitted for the fall semester, but only 1,209 came in before the deadline and were considered complete, according to the state. Of the 655 unauthorized immigrants who were approved for state aid, 513 actually enrolled in New Jersey colleges and received their grants.
The average student received about $3,168 in financial aid during the fall semester under the new program, state officials said. The majority received Tuition Aid Grants and other aid designed for low-income students.
Where are they going to college? New data released by HESSA shows the undocumented students are spread around the state — though one university enrolls far more than any other school.
25. (tie) Rowan College at Burlington County
Number of students: 5
Total aid awarded: $4,308
25. (tie) Berkeley College
Number of students: 5
Total aid awarded: $26,057
24. Seton Hall University
Number of students: 6
Total aid awarded: $27,338
22. (tie) Camden County College
Number of students: 7
Total aid awarded: $6,924
22. (tie) William Paterson University
Number of students: 7
Total aid awarded: $21,635
20. (tie) Ocean County College
Number of students: 8
Total aid awarded: $7,722
20. (tie) Cumberland County College
Number of students: 8
Total aid awarded: $8,629
16. (tie) Rowan University
Number of students: 9
Total aid awarded: $26,902
16. (tie) Middlesex County College
Number of students: 9
Total aid awarded: $9,571
16. (tie) Mercer County Community College
Number of students: 9
Total aid awarded: $7,693
16. (tie) Hudson County Community College
Number of students: 9
Total aid awarded: $11,061
14. (tie) Bloomfield College
Number of students: 11
Total aid awarded: $64,345
14. (tie) Atlantic Cape Community College
Number of students: 11
Total aid awarded: $10,269
13. Kean University
Number of students: 13
Total aid awarded: $36,344
11. (tie) County College of Morris
Number of students: 15
Total aid awarded: $17,953
11. (tie) Brookdale Community College
Number of students: 15
Total aid awarded: $17,317
10. Union County College
Number of students: 18
Total aid awarded: $20,917
9. Raritan Valley Community College
Number of students: 20
Total aid awarded: $23,034
7. (tie) New Jersey City University
Number of students: 22
Total aid awarded: $64,865
7. (tie) Saint Peter’s University
Number of students: 22
Total aid awarded: $132,601
6. New Jersey Institute of Technology
Number of students: 23
Total aid awarded: $106,602
5. Passaic County Community College
Number of students: 29
Total aid awarded: $28,160
4. Montclair State University
Number of students: 30
Total aid awarded: $97,975
3. Essex County College
Number of students: 33
Total aid awarded: $36,049
2. Bergen Community College
Number of students: 35
Total aid awarded: $40,031
1. Rutgers University
Number of students: 150
Total aid awarded: $623,109
What about New Jersey’s other colleges?
Fourteen other colleges each enrolled less than five undocumented students receiving state financial aid under the new program: Fairleigh Dickinson-Metropolitan campus (4 students); Felician University (4); The College of New Jersey (4); Warren County Community College (3); Georgian Court University (3); Rider University (3); Rowan College at Gloucester (2); Caldwell University (2); Fairleigh Dickinson University- Florham campus (2); Stockton University (2); College of Saint Elizabeth (1); Eastwick College-Hackensack (1); Monmouth University (1); and Ramapo College (1).
Several other colleges, including Princeton University, had no undocumented students receiving aid in the first semester of the new program, according to the state data.
What’s next?
The state is currently reviewing applications for aid for the spring semester. Students also have until April 15 to apply for aid for the Fall 2019 semester.
Undocumented students can apply by filling out the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
Who is eligible?
The program allows New Jersey students living in the country illegally to apply for college financial aid if they meet the following criteria:
- Attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years
- Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey
- Male students have registered for the Selective Service
- The student signs an affidavit stating they will file an application to legalize their immigration status if and when they are eligible
Under federal law, undocumented immigrant children can already attend public K-12 schools. In 2013, Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation allowing unauthorized immigrants to pay in-state tuition at New Jersey’s public colleges.
Is New Jersey reporting the names of the undocumented immigrant students to ICE?
No, state officials said they will not release names to federal officials or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. New Jersey’s financial aid databases are separate from any federal databases, HESAA officials said.
Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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