The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival or DACA recipients are not eligible for discounted in-state college tuition rates. The ruling upholds a previous decision by the state Court of Appeals last year.
The ruling says state law doesn't allow students without permanent legal status to receive in-state discounts at state or community colleges. That means DACA recipients who were paying in-state rates could now have to pay double or triple their old tuition costs. DACA recipients were already ineligible for state and federal financial aid.
DACA advocates say the ruling creates a barrier to so-called Dreamers seeking higher education.
According to a federal report, 20 states offered in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants in 2015.
A more detailed explanation of the ruling is expected to be released May 14.
