tuition hike

Children of illegal immigrants in Kansas may soon be one step closer to earning a college degree.

Legislators are considering a bill that will allow children of illegal immigrants to get into college by paying the lower in-state tuition.

As it stands right now, the children are required to pay out-of-state tuition.

At Wichita high schools amidst classrooms are a so-called lost group of children -- children of illegal immigrants who want to go to college.

But East High Counselor Kim Voth says many of these children can't go to college because they must pay expensive non-resident tuitions.

Voth says house bill 2145 will help children achieve their goals. Students could qualify for in-state tuition if they have a high school diploma or GED and have been in a Kansas school for at least three years. At Wichita State, for example, that would mean a difference of more than $3,000.

A handful of states already have similar legislation. Now many are hoping kansas will be the next to help children of illegal immigrants succeed.

The house committee on higher education is expected to vote on the bill this week.