Should Illegal Immigrants Receive Financial Aid?

By now I imagine you all have realized that I feel a certain type of way about the rising costs of a college education and the limited funding options available to students.

Well The College Board released a report this week that cites a need for federal legislation that would open up in-state college tuition, financial aid and legal status to many illegal immigrants in the U.S.

While I'm well aware that illegal immigrants have a legal right to receive a K-12 education in the United States, isn’t it a bit much to suggest that we start using our tax dollars to cover the expenses of non-U.S. citizens seeking higher education?

Though I understand the need for all to obtain at least a four-year degree, with many illegal aliens being on the lower end of the economic scale, won’t they be taking away money from U.S. citizens who need aid?

I’ve read over the past year that some politicians want illegal immigrants to become eligible for PELL grants.

Now more than ever many students are struggling to stay in school yet some are advocating we shift focus to the plight of illegal immigrants.

I get the rationale behind the call for illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses and the like, but I don’t see why some would want to put them in competition with struggling American students over already scarce aid.

I still receive letters from both parents and students about their struggles with the cost of college tuition.

Why not help them first?

Email me at [email protected]

Michael Arceneaux hails from Houston, lives in Harlem and praises Beyoncé’s name wherever he goes. Follow him on Twitter.