Laws & Policies Improving Access to Higher Education for Immigrants (Table)

Currently, at least nineteen states and the District of Columbia have laws or policies allowing students who meet specific requirements, regardless of their immigration status, to pay in-state tuition rates at public postsecondary institutions: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents adopted a similar policy for its campuses.

At least fifteen states — California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington — and the District of Columbia provide access to state financial aid to students who meet certain criteria, regardless of their immigration status. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, and Utah offer access to institutional aid or scholarships for such students.

Explore our Higher Education Toolkit to learn more about opportunities for immigrant students.