Over the last 50 years, one of the most aggravating education policies in the U.S. is the “Increased Tuition Costs” for out-of-state students at federally subsidized universities.

I distinctly remember when Harry Reid was running for Senate that he boldly announced that immigrants or fugitives in the United States should receive in-state tuition breaks. Citizens of other nations may also be eligible for loans and other benefits that local citizens can’t obtain. For whatever reason, some courts also say that immigrants should get the local citizens tuition rates breaks.

Believe it or not, there are various waivers offered to avoid out of state tuition fees. However, millions of US citizen families are strapped with the burdens of these rate hikes on American's most vulnerable children.

The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Undergraduate Studies had charged approximately: $5,624 per 12+ credit hours for state residents. For the same credits, out-of-state students pay $19,464—a difference of almost $14,000.

16 states and Washington DC offer in-state tuition to unauthorized immigrant students. The legislatures of the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington—and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to allow in-state tuition benefits for certain unauthorized immigrant students .

6 Million New Votes

It is said that 2 million students pay "out of state" rates. In-state tuition can save $13,310 per year and up to $29,662 per year.

If you take 2 million students, and add the parents of each student who may be paying, that is 6 million new happy people who will vote their pocketbooks if the president grants them a new & fair “in state” tuition rate.

Because this entire policy is arbitrary and discriminatory in the first place, the whole policy should be thrown out. The president has an opportunity to bring the US college and university system up to date. Even the EU allows special rates for all EU residents as a common market; thus, why doesn’t the U.S.?

Recently, President Trump signed an executive order to mandate free speech on college campuses. In the same vein, it is time to ask the president to override the obsolete tuition rules that discriminate against U.S. citizens, and mandate “in state rates for all.”

Even if the president’s action is contested or overturned, he will have captured the hearts and minds of millions of families, parents and grandparents fighting to achieve higher education for their loved ones.

George Mentz JD MBA CWM Chartered Wealth Manager ® is a licensed attorney and CEO of GAFM ® global education, which is an ISO 29990 Certified professional development company operating in over 50 nations. Mentz is an award winning author and advisory board member to several companies around the world in education, charities, and crypto currency.