College affordability is a top issue for students and families. Many Georgians attend public colleges and universities in-state, but Georgia is one of the most restrictive states regarding non-citizen students.

College-bound students who came to live in Georgia as children and are undocumented or participate in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are currently treated as “non-residents” who must pay out-of-state or international student tuition rates. These rates are three to four times higher than in-state tuition rates, creating significant financial burdens and barriers for students trying to access higher education.

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced legislation to allow Georgia residents to qualify for in-state tuition rates or rates lower than out-of-state tuition rates across a variety of immigration statuses.

However, those bills have yet to make it into law. Georgia can increase educational opportunities and raise educational achievement through common-sense tuition policies by passing a bill that would allow all Georgia residents, regardless of immigration status, to pay in-state tuition rates.