MO Lawmakers To Keep Colleges From Charging Illegal Immigrants “International Student” Rate

Missouri colleges and universities will no longer be able to charge illegal immigrants the high tuition costs that international students pay. Instead, they’ll pay the same tuition cost as in-state students.

Under the current budget, colleges and universities faced losing funding if they charge those students anything less than the rate charged to international students. After negotiations, Senate and House leaders removed the requirement out of a draft budget for next fiscal year.

Missouri is one of six states that currently block in-state tuition for students living in the country illegally, according the National Conference of State Legislatures . Actions by lawmakers in 16 states allow in-state tuition, and another five states provide for that through state university systems.

Lawmakers say this will keep more students in the state’s schools.

The proposed budget still includes a ban on scholarships for students without lawful immigration status.