Massachusetts Tuition Equity Coalition
In January 2023, SIM decided to pursue the Tuition Equity Campaign in MA alongside Centro Presente and Brazilian Worker Center, supported by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI). Together, we are the Massachusetts Tuition Equity Coalition (MTEC)
SIM’S LEGACY ON TUITION EQUITY
Tuition Equity has been a fight for 21 years and was started by a group of undocumented students in East Boston High School in 2002. The students formed the group GOALS to fight for access to higher education, and in 2005 they officially founded SIM to continue the mission. Over the span of two decades, Tuition Equity has been an ongoing fight. Through the perseverance of our immigrant community, we have launched the campaign again!
THE PROBLEM
Currently, in MA undocumented students are considered international students and have to pay out-of-state tuition rates to go to public colleges/universities. Additionally, undocumented students are not eligible for state financial aid. Out-of-state tuition rates are double (or even four times) the amount of in-state tuition rates, creating a systemic financial barrier that has left a significant amount of the immigrant population without the opportunity to continue their education.
THE SOLUTION
Three bills, S.817, S.836, and H.1281, are currently before the Legislature, as well as in the Senate Budget, S.2400, which is presently before the conference committee which all propose a solution to this problem. If passed, either through the state budget or legislature, these bills would allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at MA public colleges and universities if they've attended a MA high school for at least three years and graduated or obtained their GED here. The Senate bills would also extend eligibility for state financial aid. At least 23 other states and D.C. have already implemented policies to provide in-state tuition to undocumented students, and 17 states and D.C. have also extended state financial aid.
Join us in the fight for Tuition Equity and take action with us!
Take a picture of yourself with a self-made poster and post it on social media
Examples of what to write: “Pass Tuition Equity Now”, “We Cannot Wait”, “Accessible Education Equals Brighter Future for MA”, “What Are We Waiting For, Massachusetts?”, “Make MA the 24th to Have In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students”. Feel free to create your own!
Make a 2-3min video sharing your story and why this bill is important to you. Share where you are from (city/town) and tag us.
Template example: Who am I?, Why tuition equity matters to me (or to people you know)?, Support Tuition Equity!
Use the hashtags when posting on social media: #matuitionequity #tuitionequity #in-statetuition #undocumented #undocumentedstudents #collegeaccess #passtuitionequitybill #storiesinspiringmovements #SIM #centropresente #brazilianworkercenter
Write to your state legislator to express your support for the bill.
Use this link to begin writing. The form will ask for your name and address, and will automatically find your legislator. Use the template or create your own.
Please consider becoming a DREAM Sustainer today or make a one-time donation to support SIM’s organizing efforts; please click here to donate.
Stay up to date with us by following us on social media to keep up with our work and events!
