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WE WANT TO LEARN! Vote YES! On SB1014 (Gardenhire)/HB0863 (White)
Each year, undocumented students graduate in Tennessee with hopes of continuing their education and starting a career that benefits our state and strengthens our community. Unfortunately, no matter their potential or how long they have lived in Tennessee, they must pay out-of-state rate - more than 3x the in-state rate even if they meet the same residency requirements as their peers – if they want to attend a public college or university. Sadly, these policies have put a college education out-of-reach for many in Tennessee – see table below for some comparisons. SB1014/HB0863 will give these students the opportunity to go to college by allowing those who have attended our schools, graduated or obtained a GED from a Tennessee high school, and are enrolled in a Tennessee university or college to pay in-state tuition.
School In-‐State Out-‐of-‐State MTSU $6,552 $23,616 TSU $6,198 $19,554
UT Knoxville $12,724 $31,144 UT Martin $8,478 $22,422
At least 22 other states already have tuition opportunity policies, and over 75% of immigrants in the U.S. live in one of those states. Even nearby states such as Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, and Florida, have these policies.
Tuition Opportunity would drive economic growth and align with the Drive to 55 Initiative. Understanding that many industries in Tennessee face skilled labor shortages, Chambers of Commerce across the state are demonstrating support for tuition opportunity in order to produce a more educated workforce and help us compete in a global market. Tuition opportunity would also grow our tax base - individuals with a bachelor’s degree make on average $1 million more in their lifetime than those without a high school diploma. All states that adopt equitable tuition policies generate additional revenue through increased enrollment and the higher taxable incomes of their workforce.
About 22,000 undocumented youth have lived here most of their lives and call Tennessee their home. Many are authorized to live and work in Tennessee, have attended Tennessee schools, and want to remain and contribute to their community. Tennessee invests in undocumented students from kindergarten through high school, and undocumented parents invest in Tennessee, paying more than $109 million in sales and property tax in Tennessee in 2014 alone.
Unfair tuition policies lead to lower college enrollment. Nationally, less than 10% of undocumented students who graduate high school go on to college, compared with about 75% of their documented classmates. Studies show that in states with inclusive tuition policies, 31% more Latino noncitizens enroll in higher education and their high school dropout rates are reduced by an estimated 14%. Tuition equality will help boost Tennessee's graduation rates and keep us economically competitive.
Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus, Policy Director 646-584-5281, [email protected]
