Over 3 million students graduate from U.S. high schools every year. Most get the opportunity to test their dreams and live their American story. However, a group of approximately 65,000 youth do not get this opportunity because they have grown up in America undocumented.

This Monday, Rhode Island’s Board of Governors has the opportunity to rectify this gross injustice by voting to pass In-State Tuition rates for undocumented students. Click here to send a message of support to the Board of Directors and ask them to stand strong for equal student opportunities.

These young people have lived in Rhode Island for most of their lives and yet upon graduating high school, are unable to pursue a post-secondary education like their friends and classmates. Unlike the students they’ve studied with side-by-side in the classroom, undocumented students are prohibited from receiving federal and state financial aid and are prevented from paying in-state tuition rates, instead facing often prohibitive out-of-state tuition rates.

For the past 8 years legislation has been submitted by Rhode Island Legislators – more recently by Rep. Grace Díaz and Sen. Juán Pichardo – that would provide in-state tuition to undocumented students who graduate from our state’s high schools. Time and time again the General Assembly has failed to act. That’s why Monday’s vote is so important – the Board of Governors has the chance to take action to correct this injustice where our General Aseembly has been paralyzed.

Send a message of support to the Board of Directors NOW and encourage them to stand strong for equal student opportunities in Rhode Island. 

By supporting undocumented students’ dreams to complete their education beyond high school, Rhode Island will make an investment in its future while addressing the injustice experienced by students who have lived here formost of their lives and entered the country through no fault of their own.

For more information about in-state tuition and the effects it will have on Rhode Islands state-wide, please visit the Coalition for Advocates for Student Opportunities website here: http://bit.ly/qRFPqH

In addition to calling and emailing the Board of Governors here, join us in giving public comments in support of In-State Tuition at the Board of Governors meeting Monday Sept. 26, 2011 at 5:30 pm, at the Community College of Rhode Island - Knight Campus in Warwick, Rm. 4090.  Call 401-456-6000 NOW to add your name to the list of those giving public testimony.