Max Prado experienced only fear upon learning that the Texas Dream Act, a Texas statute that provided many undocumented students with in-state tuition at public universities, had been struck down by a federal judge on June 4.
Many people are worried about how they want to react and how this will impact the students, Prado stated. How can students continue attending college? What will become of them, their goals, and their future?
During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, Prado joined immigrant organizations in the Texas State Capitol to advocate against Texas Senate Bill 1798, which sought to abolish the legislation. The Texas Dream Act was terminated by the judge’s decision later in June, despite the fact that this measure did not pass. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board then sent letters to public colleges, instructing them to identify and charge out-of-state tuition rates to undocumented students.
Knowing that the court appeals process might take some time, Prado, who is a member of Texas Students for DEI, wanted to find a method to assist these students right away. On July 11, Texas Students for DEI established Keeping the Texas Dream, an emergency mutual fund for the state’s undocumented students, in collaboration with Students Engaged in Advancing Texas.
What about the students now? was the thought. Prado uttered those words. What will become of them? They cannot simply neglect their schooling for a few months or years.
The new shift may result in undocumented students paying out-of-state tuition of $42,778 and in-state tuition of $11,678 for the 2024–25 academic year, according to U.S. News & World Report. The financing is intended to put the prices of these undocumented students as close to in-state tuition as feasible, according to Hayden Cohen, state policy director for Students Engaged in Advancing Texas.
According to Cohen, “we know a lot of students were going through the summer and had already applied in early classes.” Given that they learned about it somehow, through a loan, scholarship, or any other means, to pay for that tuition in-state, the out-of-state tuition would be unexpected and may amount to an extra $15,000. That’s essentially the purpose of the fund, which is to try to assist.
Following the repeal of the Texas Dream Act, there are other organizations attempting to assist undocumented students besides Texas Students for DEI and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas. Applications for the Rooted Financial Assistance Program were made available on August 3 by Rooted, a group of immigrant UT students and graduates. This program seeks to assist undocumented students who are paying out-of-state tuition, much like Keeping the Texas Dream.
Victoria is assisting in spearheading the Rooted Financial Assistance Program’s funding and asked to be called by her first name. According to her, senior undocumented students who are nearing graduation but might not be able to pay for it are the target audience for the money.
According to Victoria, getting those elders across the finish line is the top priority. Since you have already dedicated all of your time and energy to your education, we will do everything in our power to see that you graduate.
The Texas Students for DEI website is the place to donate to Keeping the Texas Dream funds. According to Victoria, GoFundMe has raised $576 as of this writing, and the Rooted Financial Assistance Program is currently accepting donations after receiving grant funding for the program earlier this year.
Prado stated that these organizations are committed to provide all necessary assistance to undocumented students in spite of these challenges.
According to Prado, there is a method to continue schooling. There is a way out and a way to go forward, so don’t give up just yet. This isn’t what the Texas Dream Act promised you.
