CSU one of many public universities in the state giving out cash to illegal immigrant students
Colorado State University has distributed $1,500 checks to hundreds of undocumented students to help the student population out during the coronavirus pandemic.
Undocumented students are not eligible for COVID-19 federal aid through the CARES Act, so the public university used state funding and other sources to help its illegal immigrant students.
“Colorado State University is committed to supporting all of our students during this very challenging time,” spokesman Mike Hooker said via email.
Hooker said that since some students did not qualify for CARES Act aid, CSU is using a mix of “state, institutional, and private funding sources” to help them.
Meanwhile, other Colorado universities, including the University of Colorado, are working to use philanthropic and other means to give their undocumented students cash support.
As for Colorado State, Hooker said its cash distribution aimed to fill the gap for students left out of the federal aid package, including international students.
“These populations include our international and undocumented students, as well as students who, for a variety of reasons, no longer qualify for federal student aid,” Hooker said. “As part of that overall support, the university has provided varying levels of aid outside of CARES funds to about 400 such students, including 218 undocumented Coloradans who qualify for in-state tuition via the ASSET bill who each received $1,500. The university awarded those grants in the same manner that we awarded CARES Act funding, based on an assessment of student need.”
Colorado’s ASSET bill “allows undocumented students who meet all eligibility requirements to qualify for in-state tuition at Colorado State University,” the university’s website states.
Doing the math, that would be roughly $327,000 given to undocumented students. Hooker did not state in his email what percentage of the funding was state and institutional versus private dollars.
The cash distribution first came to light after a student tweeted out: “My school just deposited 1500$ into every undocumented students bank accounts bc we can’t get the stimulus check nor other financial assistance through the university …” When asked what school, she replied Colorado State University.
Colorado State University is not the only institution in the Centennial State giving out money to their illegal immigrant students.
The Denver Post reports that “Metropolitan State University of Denver — which enrolls the most undocumented students in Colorado — is raising $300,000 specifically targeted toward its ‘Dreamer’ population.”
According to the Post’s article, the University of Colorado is also initiating a student relief fund. While the fund seems to be open to most students, those who are in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, receive priority. The CU website states, “Awards typically range from $350 to $1,800 and are allocated based on type of need.”
Finally, the University of Northern Colorado will likely look to private philanthropic means to assist its undocumented students, the Post reports.
MORE: Public university funds students’ DACA renewal application fees
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