News from Scholarships A-Z

Today, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that DACA recipients are no longer eligible to receive in-state tuition rates in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). This decision will impact DACA students across all public AZ colleges & universities. Here is what we know:

• This does not impact the tuition rates for the spring 2018 semester. If you are already enrolled, stay in college. We do not know if or how this will impact the tuition rates for future semesters.
• DACA & undocumented students, you have a community supporting you. There are support spaces available. Join us in one of these spaces.
  • This week, Tuesday- Thursday, 9am-5pm - Visit the UA Immigrant Student Resource Center in the Cesar E. Chávez Building, #203 (1110 E. North Campus, Tucson, AZ).
  • April 28th, 12-2pm - Join the ISRC for a healing circle. Contact us for more details and location at ua.isrc@gmail.com
  • Connect with the SA-Z Girasol Project, a support space for young adults who are directly impacted by the deportation and detention system to share their undocumented experiences through conversation and art. Email erendida@scholarshipsaz.org for details and future meetups.

What you can do as a DACA student:

• Breathe and know you are not alone.
• Stay updated with us and other trusted organizations like Aliento, USEE & ADAC in Phoenix. We still do not know what the implementation of this court decision will look like in Arizona public colleges & universities.
• The fight for education equity will continue. Injustices like this have existed in the Arizona community and across the country.
• Contact college leaders & let them know you need access to scholarships. We will continue working with Pima Community College and the University of Arizona for solutions in helping DACA and undocumented students have access to higher education. Join us. (see sample email below)

What you can do as Educators, student allies or community members:

• Get this relevant information out to your students and their families ASAP
• Hold support spaces for students and send them to our support spaces (above)
• Contact college administrators, asking them to create alternatives for all Arizona students to have access to higher education, regardless of immigration status (see sample email below)
• Get to our conference on April 13th - Learn how to support undocumented & DACA students. (signup at scholarshipsaz.org)

How to contact college leaders in Tucson:

• UA President Robbins, (520) 621-5511, president@email.arizona.edu
• PCC Chancellor Lambert, (520) 206-4747, chancellor@pima.edu

Sample Message for Impacted Students:“Hello, my name is _______________, and I am a (continuing/prospective) student at (the University of Arizona/Pima Community College). Due to the recent decision from the Arizona Supreme Court on suspending in-state tuition for DACA recipients, I urge the institution to take immediate action. As a (current/prospective) DACA student on your campus, I need increased scholarships and resources to continue my education at (the UA/Pima). I need your committed support.”

Sample Message for Allies:“Hello, my name is _______________, and I am a (student/educator/community member). Due to the recent decision from the Arizona Supreme Court on suspending in-state tuition for DACA recipients, I urge the institution to take immediate action. I ask that you support all of your students and provide more scholarships and resources to current and future DACA and undocumented students.”