On April 10, 2019, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed two bills in support of DACA immigrants. House Bill 1552 grants nursing licenses to DACA students and House Bill 1684 grants in-state college tuition to those with DACA and other immigrant visas. This is a state law that will become effective starting on July 1, 2019.
These law changes will give DACA students the chance to receive a more affordable education, and help fill job demand throughout Arkansas.
Under ACT 844 of the 2019 Arkansas General Assembly, a student may be classified in-state for purposes of tuition and fees if the student satisfies one of the following requirements:
(a) The student personally holds or is the child of a person who holds a Federal Form I-766 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services-issued Employment Authorization Document, known popularly as a work permit;
(b) The student has verified that he or she is a resident legally present in Arkansas and has immigrated from the Republic of the Marshall Islands; or
(c)(i) The student's request for an exemption under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has been approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security. (ii) The student's exemption shall not be expired, or shall have been renewed.
In addition, the student must satisfy one (1) of the following requirements:
(a) Resided in this state for at least three (3) years at the time the student applies for admission to a state-supported institution of higher education; and
(b) Either: (i) Graduated from a public or private high school in this state; or (ii) Received a high school equivalency diploma in this state.
Summer and fall enrollment at UA Cossatot is now available. In-state tuition at UA Cossatot costs $85.00 per credit hour, and if you live in UA Cossatot’s school district, which is Sevier, Howard, and Little River County, tuition cost per hour is $72.00. These prices for tuition are available for Arkansas residents and will be equally accessible for DACA students starting July 1, 2019.
UA Cossatot’s Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole said, “We have been working on this tuition situation for almost ten years. Being the only Hispanic Serving Institution in Arkansas meant that a higher percentage of our students were negatively affected by high tuition rates. The state now allowing DACA students to pay in state tuition is a game changer for many families in our service area. I am especially proud that UA Cossatot students were the ones testifying for this change at the Capitol this year.”
Zulually Guerrero Mejia is a UA Cossatot alumni and has experienced difficulty in becoming a nurse in Arkansas. She was able to take nursing courses, but since she is a DACA student and not an Arkansas resident, she was unable to become a licensed nurse in the state.
Mejia was inspired to pursue a career in the medical field after spending much of her young life in and out of Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She shared her story at the state capital along with other DACA students, and said that the bill passing would allow her to work doing what she wants to do in the state she has always called home. With her testimony and cause to make a difference, and with the help of others in similar situations, she helped get this bill passed. Along with this issue, the dilemma of not being able to pay in-state tuition was also changed and signed by the governor on the same day.
UA Cossatot’s Student Success Center Coordinator, Erika Buenrrostro said, “Zulually is an exemplary leader and an outstanding student. What impresses me the most about her is her willingness to help those who are following in her footsteps. Her story helped change the history of Dreamers in Arkansas, and her courage to help others truly amazes me! She will be remembered always.”
Last year, UA Cossatot joined the Holistic Student Support Institute. The institute’s goal is to support every student in achieving their academic goals by overcoming educational barriers. Many students face obstacles that prevent them from graduating. To help students reach their career goals, UA Cossatot works with each student to assist them with a personal plan and strategy to achieve their desired degree or certificate.
For first-time students who would like to enroll in classes at UA Cossatot for the summer or fall, please contact Student Services at 800-844-4471, and walk-ins are always welcome.
To learn more about the Center for Student Success and how UA Cossatot can help students overcome academic barriers and basic needs while going to college, please e-mail Erika Buenrrostro at ebuenrrostro@cccua.edu.