DE QUEEN, Arkansas - Johana Martinez, a student at the University of Arkansas at Cossatot, is the first student at the college to receive in-state tuition as a DACA student.
Act 844, which allows DACA students to receive the in-state tuition, went into effect in Arkansas on July 1.
Martinez is a 2017 graduate of De Queen High School. Following graduation, she enrolled at UA Cossatot as a post-secondary student and she is currently taking prerequisite courses so that she can apply for UA Cossatot's PTA program.
"1 Peter 5:7 is a verse in the Bible that says to cast all your cares on him because he cares for you!" she said. "This verse and this opportunity to get in-state tuition is evidence that God is taking care of me and all of my fellow DACA recipients".
Under Act 844 of the 2019 Arkansas General Assembly, a student may be classified in-state for purposes of tuition and fees if the student satisfies one of the following requirements:
(a) The student personally holds or is the child of a person who holds a Federal Form I-766 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services-issued Employment Authorization Document, known popularly as a work permit;
(b) The student has verified that he or she is a resident legally present in Arkansas and has immigrated from the Republic of the Marshall Islands; or
(c) (i) The student's request for an exemption under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has been approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security. (ii) The student's exemption shall not be expired or shall have been renewed.
In addition, the student must satisfy both of the following requirements:
(a) Resided in Arkansas for at least three years at the time the student applies for admission to a state-supported institution of higher education; and
(b) Either: (i) Graduated from a public or private high school in Arkansas; or (ii) Received a high school equivalency diploma in this state.
UA Cossatot has been named a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. The college is also the first and only Hispanic-Serving Institution in the state of Arkansas.
"Our community has been involved in getting this law changed for many years and we are so thankful that our state now has this legislation," UA Cossatot Chancellor Steve Cole said. "ACT 844 is a life-changing law and for our diverse community, it will open thousands of doors".
DACA students who would like to learn more about receiving in-state tuition can contact Student Services at 870-584-4471.
- From UA Cossatot