Undocumented High School Students in Illinois Have Support in Pursuing College Education
A Network of Support for Undocumented Students
On a recent school night at Mansueto High School in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood, college recruiters from around Illinois made their pitch to an unlikely audience — one whose members have every reason to believe college is not for them. The event was the sixth annual college fair hosted by the Noble Schools charter network specifically for undocumented students.
“It’s very welcoming, because the universities are like, ‘Yes, come to us, we got you. We’ll help you pay for this. We’ll give you scholarships. We’ll build this club,'” says Brisa Angel, a college counselor, as she watched her students talk to recruiters. “It’s one thing to see it on a sheet: ‘OK, these are your options.’ And a whole other thing is walking into a fair and talking to people who are like, ‘Yeah, we have these resources.'”
A Pathway to Higher Education
For years, undocumented students have been told in big and little ways they do not belong in college. They do not have access to federal financial aid, and in most states, they have to pay out-of-state tuition rates without the help of state grants. But in Illinois, undocumented students have a better shot at getting into and paying for college. The state is one of 19 where undocumented students can apply for state funding, and one of 25 where they pay in-state tuition rates.
A Network of Advocates
Just as important is the network of adults working overtime to help these students navigate a maze of paperwork and find a campus where they can get the support they need to succeed. That network includes Angel, who was once an undocumented high schooler with college dreams. She is now a college counselor at ITW David Speer Academy, the high school she attended. She wants younger generations of students to have college options, too, whether they have legal immigration status.
“I didn’t know what it meant to really be undocumented until I came to apply to college,” Angel says about the hurdles she had to overcome to access higher education. “That was actually really terrifying, because I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, what am I going to do with my life?'”
A Message of Hope
Angel says her college counselor stepped in and helped her submit applications to 42 colleges. “She was like, ‘I don’t know what it means to be undocumented, but I got you,'” Angel says. “She basically held my hand and dragged me across, and she was like, ‘You’re not gonna give up. You’re not gonna give up.'”
Conclusion
The work of Angel and advocates for undocumented students across the state is a rejection of skepticism of college — from one of the communities with the least access to it. College is not the only pathway to success, but it is an important one. And in Illinois, undocumented students have a better chance at accessing higher education than in many other states.
FAQs
* What is the purpose of the college fair?
The college fair is designed to provide undocumented students with information about college options and resources available to them.
* What are the benefits of attending college for undocumented students?
Undocumented students can gain access to higher education, which can lead to better job opportunities, increased earning potential, and greater independence.
* What is the current state of higher education for undocumented students?
Undocumented students face significant barriers to accessing higher education, including limited financial aid options and higher tuition rates.
* What is being done to support undocumented students in Illinois?
The state of Illinois offers state funding and in-state tuition rates to undocumented students, making it more accessible for them to attend college. Additionally, organizations like the Noble Schools charter network are providing support and resources to these students.
