SPRINGFIELD – Graduating high school students could soon see more opportunities to attend Illinois’ public colleges and universities, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Celina Villanueva that would expand in-state tuition rates to any individual who attended an Illinois high school for three years.
“If a student attended an Illinois high school for three years and has graduated, or received their GED, they deserve the same chance at obtaining a degree as every other Illinois student,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This is about making college more affordable and ensuring we aren’t locking entire groups out of our state’s public higher education system, especially youth who cannot control if or when they relocate to a new state during high school.”
For the past several years, Illinois lawmakers have voiced concerns with college costs, specifically citing rising in-state tuition that has led to many students taking on more in education-related debt, or seeking higher education across state lines. Villanueva recognizes that the continued rising cost of living disproportionately affects low-income families and students participating in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – groups that often have to temporarily relocate due to unforeseen circumstances.
Under current state law, students attending Illinois’ public institutions of higher learning cannot receive in-state tuition if they have established residency outside of the state prior to enrollment. Villanueva’s measure would modify in-state tuition requirements, allowing students who attend an Illinois high school for at least three years to receive in-state tuition regardless of if the student had established residency outside Illinois prior to enrolling.
“There is a lot of discourse about who this proposal is meant to benefit, but the simple fact of the matter is that we have to look at the bigger picture,” added Villanueva. “It isn’t just DACA students who benefit from changes to our in-state tuition requirements; it’s also low-income, first generation, minority and transgender students who no longer have to fear being penalized with higher tuition costs simply for moving away before enrolling in college.”
House Bill 5093 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.
