Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

The educational rights of undocumented youth in the United States have caught heightened media attention and resulted in increased policy discussion. Undocumented youth, also referred to as the 1.5 generation and DREAMers, have the right to attend K-12 education. However, no policy or judicial ruling grants them similar access to postsecondary education. Theories of college access make clear that several academic, economic and social factors impact college attendance. However, given their precarious legal and social identities, accessing college becomes is an even greater barrier to overcome. Nevertheless, previous research on undocumented college student access underscores the positive effect of in-state tuition discounts have on college enrollment. Yet, research also highlights the role of financial aid, specifically grants and scholarships, as positive mediators on college attendance. This study evaluates the effect of state tuition discount policies and on college attendance for undocumented Hispanic students. I estimate the effect of these policies using a difference-in-differences analytical technique in a regression framework. Preliminary findings suggest that presence of state in-state resident tuition and financial aid policies have a positive effect on college attendance. The policy implications of these findings suggest that states should consider adopting in-state resident tuition policies and providing financial aid for undocumented youth. Doing so increases the human capital of this population that can have positive effects on their communities.