Maryland Higher Education Commission

Capital Gazette Communications

At Anne Arundel Community College, officials don't expect too many illegal immigrant students will try to take advantage of the lower tuition rates established by the DREAM Act.

"I don't think it's going to be that terribly difficult to administer," said John Grabowski, assistant dean for enrollment services at AACC. "I'm guessing there will not be hundreds of individuals. There will be a few."

The DREAM Act was one of the most controversial bills approved by state lawmakers during their 90-day General Assembly session earlier this year.

It passed by a narrow margin and was signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Almost immediately, opponents started a petition drive to put the DREAM Act to a statewide vote during the 2012 election. If they are successful in forcing the referendum, the law will be put on hold until its fate is decided during the election.

But colleges have to prepare anyway to implement the law on July 1.

"We're preparing guidelines and procedures that align with the law - the law goes into effect July 1 - so we'll be able to provide this to individuals who are interested," Grabowski said.

The DREAM Act allows students who do not have documented legal residency to pay in-state tuition rates if they meet a series of requirements.

For example, they must be graduates of a Maryland high school, they or their parent must have paid state taxes for at least three years, they must continue to pay taxes while enrolled, male students must register for the Selective Service.

At first, DREAM Act students only would be eligible for paying in-state tuition at community colleges. After two years at a community college, they would be eligible for in-state rates at a four-year state college or university if they are admitted.

All community colleges in Maryland have been busy nailing down the details of how to determine who is eligible for the DREAM Act.

Grabowski said AACC has set up paperwork and a review system in the registration office for potential DREAM Act students. The staff has tried to make the forms as clear and student-friendly as possible.

He said setting up the DREAM Act paperwork hasn't been too difficult, noting that community colleges often must adjust to changes, such as Veterans Affairs programs or financial aid rules.

"There are hundreds of changes a year, some bigger, some smaller. We just respond," Grabowski said.

Maryland Politics: Maryland higher education: the state gives and ...

&Quot;It was never our intention to impact prior awards," said O'Malley in a statement. "Clearly, our commitment to honor existing awards was not fulfilled and I’ve directed [the Maryland Higher Education Commission] MHEC to immediately correct the error and restore the four-year scholarships to all seniors who were expecting their award." Legislative analysts say the in-state tuition bill won't impact the state spending plan that starts July 1, but over time the program will cost money. In FY2014, the program costs $778K and by FY2016 the cost will rise to $3.5 million. Critics contend that the price tag is low because it relies on a set of assumptions that underestimates the number of illegal immigrants who will take advantage of the program. Attention all high school students - especially the best and the brightest. Your contributions are not wanted here in Maryland - your efforts will be better rewarded if you pack up and take to another state or to a private institution. The state of Maryland and it's esteemed educational institutions prefer to pander to law breakers and criminals. They do not want hard working honest citizens in their institutions. In fact, if you play the state's official 'team' sport - you may get rounded up and arrested.

I'm a MD resident and college junior at a public MD university. It really angers me that my parents, who are US citizens and MD residents have to jump through hoops to get me and my 3 sisters through college with the little help of financial aid, yet illegal immigrants can get in-state tuition. How is this even legal? Oh, I forgot, nowadays MD ignores the law and wishes of legal residents in favor of giving rights to people who are not entitled to them under federal and state law.

Everyone who is a registered MD voter, please sign the petition at mdpetitions.com to keep the Dream Act from becoming a nightmare for MD tax papers.

"Jenna" above complains,

"[M]y parents, who are US citizens and MD residents have to jump through hoops to get me and my 3 sisters through college with the little help of financial aid, yet illegal immigrants can get in-state tuition."

Jenna seems to think the children of illegal immigrants are getting a benefit that she is not getting herself, but that's incorrect. She gets the same in-state tuition rate that the Dream Act extends to the innocent children of illegal immigrants--no more, no less.

Her parents' sacrifice for her education should inspire empathy for students who are like her in many ways except they were brought here as children without authorization to stay--not a choice they made themselves.

The impact of technology on space planning for academic libraries, a report for the Maryland Higher Education Commission

Private career schools in Maryland, authorized to operate in Maryland by the Maryland Higher Education Commission

Cash for college

Trends in degrees and certificates by program, Maryland higher education institutions

Manual, State of Maryland