For many, a college education is a necessary precursor to succeeding in the workforce. Under state law, any Kansas student who has attended a Kansas high school for three or more years and has earned a high school diploma or a general educational development (GED) certificate would qualify for in-state tuition at public universities.
Kansas House Bill 2139 would repeal this successful law, and would dash the hopes of hundreds of Kansans by preventing them from paying the in-state tuition rate. Federal law provides states with an option to allow students to pay in-state tuition regardless of their immigration status. HB 2139 would work against the federal system and move Kansas in the wrong direction.
HB 2139 was introduced during the 2015 Kansas legislative session and has currently not advanced in the legislative process.
ACLU Testimony HB 2139 - In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students
News Coverage
"Kansas lawmakers resume battle over immigrant tuition", Lawrence Journal-World, 02/24/2015
"Undocumented students tell lawmakers not to repeal in-state tuition", Topeka Capital-Journal, 02/24/2015