The Urban Institute estimates that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from a U.S. high school each year. Thousands of these students are academically eligible to attend college. The 2000 US Census suggests that for every 100 Latino students that enter elementary school, 46 will graduate from high school, eight will earn a Bachelor’s degree, two will earn a graduate or professional degree and less than one will earn a doctorate (Undocumented Students’ Access to College: The American Dream Denied, Maria Lucia Chavez, Mayra Soriano and Paz Oliverez). The challenges faced by undocumented students who are eligible and willing to pursue higher education are staggering. They face obstacles with college admissions and tuitions policies, as well as federal, state and institutional financial aid access. Yet access to continuing education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Read more about the challenges faced by this population here.

Pat Abrams, Executive Director