The Tuition Equity Act, also known as the New Jersey Dream Act, was enacted in 2013. The law extends in-state tuition benefits to undocumented students who have attended and graduated from high school in New Jersey. Despite the provisions of this legislation, undocumented students in New Jersey continue to face numerous barriers to accessing higher education, due to the high cost of tuition and their legal ineligibility for federal and state studies.

In 2018, thanks in part to Wind of the Spirit’s advocacy, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bill that will allow undocumented students to apply for state financial aid to help them pay for college.

According to New Jersey Policy Perspective, “allowing undocumented students to apply for state financial aid such as Tuition Assistance Grants (TAG)…would make college education a real possibility for more students [inmigrantes], increasing their prospects for a prosperous future.” Equal access to educational opportunities will position undocumented students – and New Jersey – for greater economic prosperity and strengthen our communities.

Wind of the Spirit continues to support undocumented students through DACA renewal consultations and assistance with the HESAA state financial aid form.