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Lauryn Smith
Professor Vyvial
ENGL 1301
29 June 2016
Should Financial Aid Be Given to All?
Financial aid is scholarship money provided to a student on the basis of many different
qualifications. The amount of these grants can be anywhere from 100 dollars to 100,000 dollars.
Whether or not certain people deserve to have this incredible benefit towards college tuition is
the question many have been debating. Should undocumented immigrants receive the same
benefits as U.S. citizens? Some believe that the immigrants coming into America without a green
card should be given the same chances as U.S. citizens. On the other hand, many politicians,
Republicans mainly, are confident that undocumented immigrants have no place here in America
and do not deserve the same advantages as an American citizen.
The Dream Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors), passed in 2001,
is an American legislation that grants undocumented immigrants conditional residency, then
eventually permanent residency. Supporters of the DREAM Act tend to think about what else
could be done with these college-ready immigrants. They have no way of communicating with
their home countries, many of them being brought across the border in the womb. Many believe,
Deporting them would be borderline cruel (Smith). Activists like to think that these young
immigrants have as much to offer to the future of America and American society as a citizen or
legal resident does (Smith). Furthermore, recipients of the DREAM Act were not active
contributors in the decision to break American immigration law, and it is not reasonable to
sentence them to a lifetime of low-paying black market employment for the wrongdoings of their
parents. President Barack Obama had his say on the topic at hand when giving one of his

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immigration speeches in El Paso, Texas, saying, These are kids who grew up in this country,
love this country, and know no other place as home. The idea that we would punish them is cruel
and it makes no sense. (Obama).
Few universities, such as NYU, have faith in those who had entered into the states right
before their birth and whose parents were not legally granted citizenship. Last fall, New York
University announced a pilot program to give undocumented students from New York State
grants the same way it awards them to citizens. Before this, undocumented students received
help from the university occasionally, on a case-by-case basis. (Harris). Being one of the most
prominent universities in New York, NYU started this program to try and change the Senates
mind for agreeing to be one of the many states that do not allow state financial aid to
undocumented immigrants. So far, 17 state legislatures have decided it is worth the 505 penalty
to offer undocumented students, and all other high school graduates from that state living
elsewhere, in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities (Weaver). A penalty of the
505 form means a violation of any state regulation. Over the years, there have been many
undocumented immigrants that have crossed barriers by getting into the college that may or may
not have been their first choice with the help of grants. If equality is considered for them, they
might be our generations CEOs, doctors, politicians, and lawyers.
With a controversial topic such as undocumented immigrants, there will be many pros as
well as cons. Several politicians do not think it is the best decision to grant undocumented
immigrants with the treasure that is financial aid. Understandably, with numerous people against
it, only four states California, New Mexico, Texas and Washington offer state financial aid
to undocumented students, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. (Kaplan
and Mckinley). Adversaries of the DREAM Act distress the fact that giving pardon to these

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migrants who have wrecked immigration law will only inspire new unlawful immigrants to come
into the United States, already knowing that their children will have automatic access to legal
residency. Fundamentally, in rivals eyes, it suggests an incentive to break the law. Additionally,
opponents of the bill sense that, when it comes down to applying for colleges and scholarships
for school, it generates a level playing field for both U.S. citizens and illegal immigrantsand
that is not reasonable. Undocumented immigrants have gained somewhat of an equal shot at
valuable state and federal resources as legal residents since the DREAM Act has been passed,
and this is particularly critical bearing in mind the economic circumstances the U.S. finds itself
in, facing budget cuts in education and community service programs.
Overall, the decision to have financial aid given to all has been in debate for years. The
DREAM Act has tried to resolve the conflict over the years but has not succeeded with all of the
mini disputes. Some believe that undocumented immigrants should not be considered for
financial aid, while others think they should not be punished in such a way. Few four-year
universities are enlightened by the idea that undocumented immigrants should be given the
opportunity to attend school without as much financial debt. What should we do about this crisis
at hand? Should financial aid be available and free to give to anyone in the United Sates, or
should it exclusively be for the citizens of the U.S.?

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Works Cited
Harris, Elizabeth A. "Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Is Losing Its Stigma." New York
Times 27 Feb. 2015: A18+. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 June 2016.
Kaplan, Thomas, and Jesse Mckinley. "State Senate Rejects Bill Granting Tuition Aid to Illegal
Immigrants." New York Times 18 Mar. 2014: A18. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 June
2016.
Obama, Barack. "Remarks In El Paso, Texas." Daily Compilation Of Presidential Documents
(2011): 1. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 2 July 2016.
Smith, Shannon. "College Guide for Undocumented Students - Best Colleges." Best Colleges.
N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Jul. 2016
Weaver, Ryan. "Pros and Cons of the DREAM Act - US Immigration Help." U.S. Immigration.
N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Jul. 2016