A student at the University of Massachusetts Boston pushed tears away from her eyes on a recent morning, thinking about her younger siblings who will be able to attend college for free.
A rising senior, who asked that her name not be used due to her undocumented status, has fought hard for her college degree. She worked over 30 hours a week for three years in a restaurant —on top of other jobs — and earned scholarships to pay the $8,000 tuition per semester.
The state’s 2023 tuition equity law, designed to help all students access in-state tuition and financial aid at public universities, is leaving undocumented and immigrant students like her behind because of one qualification, according to high school teachers and counselors…