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In-state tuition at CCRI, RIC, URI, regardless of immigration status & HBCUs forgive college debt, offer reduced/no tuition, more
Governor McKee signed into law that all Rhode Island students – regardless of immigration status – can go to a state institution of higher education (RIC, URI, CCRI) at the reduced, in-state tuition rate. Students must have graduated from a Rhode Island public high school and they have to have lived in RI for 3 years.
Governor Dan McKee, joined by Senator Sandra Cano and Representative Grace Diaz, today signed into law legislation (2021-S 990, 2021-H 5238) which will ensure in-state tuition for Rhode Island students regardless of immigration status.
The bill signing took place at the Community College of Rhode Island – Liston Campus in Providence.
“Education is a promise for a better future and this bill demonstrates Rhode Island’s commitment to supporting all students,” said Governor McKee. “This legislation is not only about equity, but an increased access to higher education, which will benefit our community for years to come.”
“This is an issue that I am extremely passionate about. As someone who came to this country with very little, I know first-hand the opportunities that a good education can bring to someone who is willing to work hard,” said Rep. Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence). “With limited skills-based jobs, improving college affordability is becoming a bigger priority for everyone. And we have so much untapped potential that has come into our state from all over the world.”
“Education is what led me to where I am today after first immigrating to this country as a teenager from Colombia and I believe that all of the children with similar backgrounds such as mine should have the same opportunity. This bill will provide those opportunities for our young students who wish nothing more than to better themselves and their futures through education in order to provide for themselves, their families and their communities,” said Sen. Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket).
“As an institution of higher education, we firmly believe every person deserves access to a college degree, no matter their financial position or immigration status. The Student Success Act makes higher education more affordable and accessible for many more Rhode Islanders, furthers their future social and economic mobility, and helps strengthen our communities,” said Meghan Hughes, Ph.D., president of the Community College of Rhode Island. “I thank Governor McKee, Representative Diaz, Senator Cano, and all the sponsors of this transformative act for their commitment to supporting increased access to higher education for everyone.”
To be eligible, a student must attend an approved Rhode Island high school for three years, continue to reside in Rhode Island, and file for lawful immigration status as soon as they are eligible.
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HBCUs
HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), none of which are in New England, have also announced several measures to make college attendance easier for their students, with student debt forgiveness for their graduating classes and lowered tuition, or no tuition for students enrolling in the Fall 2021.
While some HBCUs are lowering tuition for incoming students, other HBCUs are offering half tuition, or waiving tuition completely, plus providing free computer tablets or laptops. Others are offering discounts.
“As these graduates begin their lives as responsible adults, we are honored to be able to give them a fresh start by relieving their student debt to the university,” says Dr. Elfred Pinkard, the president of Wilberforce University.
The discounts and tuition waiver have been thought by some college experts as being the first steps towards free college education for all. Most likely this will be at state universities and colleges.
InsideHigherEd also noted the coaching opportunity at HBCUs. They say, “A new initiative aims to bring back 4,000 students who stopped out of private historically Black colleges and universities and guide them to graduation with one-on-one coaching. Public HBCUs are doing similar outreach to students, especially those who left during the pandemic.”
The coaching initiative will target a cohort of students who stopped out of HBCUs in the last two years and provide them with free, personalized coaching for four months to ease their transition back into college. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) kicked off its outreach to former students last week, and the recruits will ultimately re-enroll in a network of 10 HBCUs and predominantly Black institutions this fall. The coaches will be provided by InsideTrack, a nonprofit organization that helps colleges and universities increase student enrollment, college completion and career readiness.
More than five million Black Americans aged 25 and older have some college, but no degree, according to the Census released in 2020.
$5 billion in emergency aid has come to HBCUs in Congress’ three pandemic relief packages
What is an HBCU?
HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African American community as well as the entire nation. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions train young people who go on to serve domestically and internationally in the professions as entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors.
There are no HBCUs in the New England area.