We’re all scared’: Florida ‘Dreamer’ reveals fears about college tuition hike
A benefit at risk
For the last ten years, so-called Dreamers have been able to pay in-state tuition rates at Florida’s state colleges and universities. The state legislature is likely to pass a bill that revokes that benefit during the special session happening now in Tallahassee. In-state tuition for undocumented students who came here as children was a bipartisan concept. Former Gov. Rick Scott signed it into law in 2014, but now, even Republicans who supported it at the time, including incoming Florida International University president Jeanette Nunez, are saying Dreamers should pay out-of-state rates.
A personal story
Jose is a case in point. He arrived here when he was five years old, attended public schools, and considers himself a Floridian.
“Like everyone else, I’ve studied here since I was young, I’ve worked here, I’ve paid taxes here, I’ve done basically what most Americans do,” Jose said.
A looming crisis
For the second straight year, lawmakers in Tallahassee are talking about taking away the right of so-called Dreamers to pay the in-state tuition rate at state universities.
We are not revealing his last name to protect his identity. I asked him how it feels knowing that the in-state tuition waiver is on the chopping block.
“It’s mind-blowing because I think it’s unfair,” the sophomore computer science major said.
Financial concerns
At FIU, the in-state tuition is about $6,000, while out-of-state students pay three times that rate.
“To suddenly go from paying a certain amount to this boatload amount, it’s just insane to me,” Jose said.
Arguments for and against
I pointed out to him that critics say this benefit should never have been granted to undocumented students in the first place.
“It is fair, just like every other student, we worked hard to get where we are,” Jose responded.
Republican State Senator Randy Fine has been making the case against the tuition waiver, arguing it’s an incentive for migrants to come to Florida illegally. He said there are about 6,000 Dreamers enrolled in state colleges, including more than 500 at FIU and about 800 at Miami Dade College.
Fear and uncertainty
“We’re all scared,” Jose said. “We’re all trying to fight to at least keep the in-state tuition for us because we find it really unfair that after all these years of working hard toward achieving this goal of going to college, all of a sudden it’s going to crumble for us, there’s honestly little we can do.”
He’s correct about that, it’s a foregone conclusion that the legislature is ending in-state tuition for Dreamers, and for students like Jose, they’re worried about more than the tuition increase awaiting them next fall. He told us he’s stressed every day about possibly being deported to what amounts to a foreign country to him after a lifetime in Florida.
Conclusion
For Dreamers like Jose, the fear of uncertainty and the potential loss of a benefit they’ve grown accustomed to is a real and present concern. The state legislature’s decision to end in-state tuition for Dreamers is a significant blow to their educational and financial aspirations.
FAQs
* What is the current tuition rate for in-state students at Florida’s state colleges and universities?
+ About $6,000 at FIU
* What is the tuition rate for out-of-state students at Florida’s state colleges and universities?
+ About $18,000 at FIU (three times the in-state rate)
* How many Dreamers are enrolled in state colleges and universities in Florida?
+ About 6,000, including more than 500 at FIU and about 800 at Miami Dade College
* Who is making the case against the tuition waiver in the state legislature?
+ Republican State Senator Randy Fine
* What is the main argument being made by Senator Fine against the tuition waiver?
+ That it is an incentive for migrants to come to Florida illegally
