New College Scholarship Fund Raises $25 Million For Undocumented Immigrants

Sarah Gonzalez / StateImpact Florida

Former Washington Post owner Donald Graham has raised $25 million to provide financial aid for undocumented students who want to go to college.

Former Washington Post owner Donald Graham and Miami education activist Gaby Pacheco sat down with NPR to talk about a new scholarship program for undocumented immigrants.

Allowing undocumented students access to in-state tuition rates will be a big issue in the legislative session set to begin tomorrow. A court has ruled Florida can not force the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition (Florida uses the parents’ financial information to determine a student’s residency). Sen. Jack Latvala has introduced a bill to expand in-state tuition to all undocumented students.

Graham has raised $25 million for the financial aid program, including money from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Listen to the interview with Graham and Pacheco.