FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 2, 2014
Contact: Sarah Lovenheim, sarah.lovenheim@younginvincibles.org, 202.734.6536
Contact: Colin Seeberger, colin.seeberger@younginvincibles.org, 214.223.2913
Young Invincibles’ Statement on the Florida Legislature’s Passage of Tuition Equity for Undocumented Students
175,000 Florida Students Could Save $14,000, On Average, Annually
[TALLAHASSEE]—Today, the Florida House passed a Senate-amended version of HB 851, a bill to provide undocumented Florida students access to in-state tuition. Today’s vote followed yesterday’s crucial passage in the Senate. With Governor Scott’s signature, this would make Florida the 19thth state to guarantee all students access to equitable tuition rates, regardless of their immigration status. Florida’s 175,000 undocumented students will now save $14,000, on average, annually on tuition.
“Florida’s elected leaders affirmed the dignity of all Floridians by saying the dream of earning a college degree should be universally accessible. Working closely with leading advocates across the state, we were able to elevate the voices of undocumented students trying to earn a degree and build a future,” said Cristina Calvillo-Rivera, Outreach Coordinator at Young Invincibles. “Now Florida taxpayers will make good on their investment in the K-12 education of these students and benefit from having more college graduates.”
An undocumented worker with a college degree will pay $5,300 more in taxes and require $3,900 less in government expenses each year compared to a high school dropout with similar characteristics, according to the Rand Corporation.
Students across the state joined leading state advocates to raise their voices in support of tuition equity through Young Invincibles’ Student Impact Project, a multi-state campaign designed to empower students to speak up on state higher education policies that impact their economic futures.
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Young Invincibles is a national organization committed to amplifying the voices of young adults, ages 18 to 34, and expanding economic opportunity for our generation. Young Invincibles ensures that young adults are represented in today’s most pressing societal debates through cutting-edge policy research and analysis, and innovative campaigns designed to educate, inform and mobilize our generation to change the status quo. Follow us on Twitter at @YI_Care.