Colorado-N.M. Tuition Pact Helps Immigrants

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Some undocumented Colorado high school graduates will attend the University of New Mexico this fall and get most of their costs paid for, reported KOAT-TV in Albuquerque.

Colorado law prohibits state colleges from providing in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.

However, the state of New Mexico is barred from denying educational benefits based on immigration status, according to the director of admissions for University of New Mexico.

Some students are taking advantage of an agreement between the two states that allows students in both Colorado and New Mexico to get in-state rates at UNM.

In addition, some of the undocumented students qualify for merit-based scholarships, meaning they could be allowed to attend UNM for free if they qualify, reported KOAT-TV.

Not everyone is in favor of the policy. Some UNM students said that if the immigrant students are not contributing to the community, they should not be allowed to take advantage of the tuition break, the station reported.

Four students who attended UNM through the program last year averaged a 3.0 grade point average.

Currently, UNM is reviewing the agreement to see if it wants to make changes to the policy, KOAT-TV reported.