By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times - Thursday, February 12, 2015
Rutgers University–Newark is hosting a first-of-its-kind college admissions fair called “UndocuRutgers” for illegal immigrants seeking to enroll.
“The NJ ‘DREAM’ Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals provide more access to higher education for undocumented students than ever before,” reads the registration page for the Saturday event in Newark, Campus Reform reported. “Come learn what resources and opportunities are available at Rutgers University–Newark.”
Representatives of Rutgers-Newark’s law school will be at college fair to discuss legal issues with participants, including how undocumented students can apply for federal deferred action waivers, NJ.com reported.
The registration page for the event also promises to protect the identities and immigration status of those who sign up for the fair, Campus Reform reported.
Peter T. Englot, a senior vice chancellor for public affairs and chief of staff in the chancellor’s office, explained that part of the fair’s goal is to “engage undocumented students and their parents, in particular, in a conversation so that we in the higher education community can better understand the challenges they face in pursuing opportunity through education,” NJ Biz Rutgers-Newark-holding-admissions-event-for-unauthorized-immigrants” target=”_blank”>reported.
Illegal immigrants in New Jersey can attend public colleges at an in-state tuition rate if they prove that they have begun or are about to begin filing for legal citizenship, College Reform reported.
They cannot apply for federal financial aid but can receive scholarships through TheDream.Us, a “new multimillion dollar National Scholarship Fund for DREAMers, created to help immigrant youth who’ve received DACA achieve their American Dream through the completion of a college education,” according to that website.