The Immigration Nationality Act of 1996 prohibits access to in-state tuition benefits by undocumented students (section 8 USC 1623) It reads “…an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit…”

Several states have taken it upon themselves to override this provision by offering in-state tuition to illegal aliens. Conversely, three states have passed laws preventing these benefits.

States with In-State Tuition Laws (Descriptions of each state below)

Map of States with Mandatory E-Verify Laws

Arizona

Proposition 300 is a referendum approved by Arizona voters in November 2006. Proposition 300 provides that university students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or who do not have lawful immigration status, are not eligible for in-state tuition status or financial aid that is funded or subsidized by state monies.

Arkansas

Senate Bill 799 would allow children of undocumented immigrants to attend state universities at in-state tuition rates. The bill requires students to have graduated from a high school in Arkansas with at least three years of attendance. On March 25, 2009, the bill passed conference committee and was sent to the Senate floor. Gov. Beebe opposes the measure.

California

In 2001, California passed AB 540 allowing illegal aliens access to in-state tuition rates. Requirements: Attend a California high school for three or more years, Graduate from a California high school or receive a GED from California, and Provide an affidavit stating the student will apply for legalization once he/she is eligible to do so.

Colorado

In 2006, Colorado passed HB 1023 preventing illegal aliens from accessing in-state tuition rates. In April 2009, the state Senate rejected SB 170 that would have reversed HB 1023 and allowed illegal aliens to access in-state tuition rates.

Georgia

Passed in 2008, Georgia SB492 prohibits illegal aliens from obtaining in-state tuition rates.

Illinois

Effective May 20, 2003, Illinois House Bill 60 allows illegal aliens access to in-state tuition rates. Requirements: Student has resided in Illinois with his/her parent or guardian while attending public or private high school, Student has graduated from an Illinois public or private high school or received a GED from IL, Student has attended an Illinois high school for at least three years, Student has registered to enter the university no earlier than the Fall 2003 semester, and Student provides the university with an affidavit stating he/she will file an application to become a permanent resident of the U.S. once he/she becomes eligible to do so

Kansas

Effective May 24, 2004, Kansas HB2145 allows illegal aliens access to in-state tuition rates. Requirements: Attended a Kansas high school for three or more years, Has graduated from a Kansas high school or received a GED, At the time of enrollment, the student is not eligible for resident tuition at a postsecondary school in another state, and The person needs to provide an affidavit stating he/she will apply for legal residency when he/she is eligible to do so

Nebraska

Effective July 13, 2006, Nebraska Legislative Bill 239 allows illegal aliens to access in-state tuition rates. Requirements: Reside in Nebraska for at least three years prior to high school graduation/obtaining a GED, Graduate from a Nebraska public or private high school or obtain a GED, Live with a parent or guardian while attending high school, Be registered as an entering college student not earlier than the 2006 fall semester, Provide an affidavit stating their intention to become a permanent resident at their earliest opportunity. If the parent ceases to reside in Nebraska, the student can retain resident status if the student has a bona fide intention to reside in Nebraska and the affidavit needs to be signed by a notary

New Mexico

Effective March 15, 2005, New Mexico's SB 582 allows illegal aliens to access in-state tuition. Requirements: Attended a New Mexico high school for at least a year and Graduated from a New Mexico high school or obtained a GED in New Mexico

New York

Effective August 6, 2002, New York's bill A9612-A allows illegal aliens access to in-state tuition rates. Requirements: Attended a New York high school for two or more years, graduated with a New York high school diploma and applied for attendance to a college or university within five years of receiving diploma, or obtained a GED from New York and has applied for attendance to a college or university within five years of receiving GED, Supply an affidavit to the college or university stating that he/she will file for an application for legalization as soon as he/she is eligible to do so

Oklahoma

Oklahoma passed HB1804 in 2008 which prohibits illegal aliens from receiving in-state tuition, but it allows the state's Board of Regents to award in-state tuition to illegal aliens who have attended an Oklahoma high school for at least two years and graduated. They must also sign an affidavit that states that they are trying to legalize their status or will do so within one year.

Oregon

House Bill 2939, proposed in April 2009, provides that students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents can be considered state residents and pay state tuition if they attended a local high school for at least three years, graduated from it and have been accepted by a state university.

South Carolina

South Carolina passed HB 4400 in 2008 prohibiting illegal aliens from accessing public benefits, including in-state tuition rates.

Tennessee

House Bill 0808 by Rep. Stacey Campfield would require applicants seeking in-state tuition to be residing in the United States lawfully.

Texas

Texas allows illegal aliens to access in-state tuition rates through two different legislative actions. First, HB1403 which became effective on June 16, 2001 set guidelines for becoming a resident of Texas. Then, SB1528, effective September 1, 2005, allows all Texas residents to have access to in-state tuition rates regardless of immigration status. Requirements: Lived in Texas three years prior to high school graduation or obtaining a GED from Texas or Resided in Texas the (full) year prior to enrollment in an institution of higher education, and Provide an affidavit stating intent to apply for Permanent Residency when eligible to do so

Utah

Effective July 1, 2002, Utah's HB144 allows illegal aliens access to in-state tuition rates. Requirements: Attended high school in the state of Utah for three or more years, Graduated from a high school in this state or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this state, Registers as an entering student at an institution of higher education not earlier than the fall of the 2002-03 academic year, and In addition to these requirements, a student without lawful immigration status shall file an affidavit with the institution of higher education stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he is eligible to do so.

Washington

Effective July 1, 2003, Washington's HB 1079 allows illegal aliens access to in-state tuition. Requirements: Resided in Washington for at least three years and have completed a full senior year of high school in Washington and have graduated from a Washington high school or Received a GED in Washington and have lived in the state for three full years prior to receiving the GED and Continuously lived in Washington immediately after receiving diploma or GED and Provide an affidavit stating the student will apply for legalization when he/she is eligible to do so

 Wisconsin

The state legislature approved in-state tuition for illegal aliens who graduate from Wisconsin high schools as part of the state's 2009 budget. The budget was passed on June 26, 2009.