Students at Prescott College in Arizona have approved a required $30 fee that will be used to fund a scholarship for undocumented students, according a to media release from the college. The release states that the Freedom Education Fund will begin during the 2016-2017 academic year.
The push for the fee was led by Prescott students, earning the support of the college’s faculty as well as members of the local community.
“I am proud that our students take on the role of scholar activists,” Prescott College President John Flicker said. “Their passion around this issue really motivated our part to make up the difference between what the fee will provide for and the full cost to attend one of our programs. We’re committed to broaden access to higher education for a diverse group of students and mobilize our resources towards social justice.”
According to the release, “the fee will support one student this coming academic year, but the College hopes to raise additional funds to support more full tuition scholarships for additional undocumented students, who are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.” Prescott also said that this is the “first time a four-year college in Arizona has implemented such a fee, and only the second in the country to do.” Chicago’s Loyola University is believed to the be first school in the United States to implement a student fee towards helping undocumented students.
Earlier today, student leaders held a press conference about the Prescott announcement. Freedom Education Fund organizer Ankur Singh live-tweeted parts of the conference.
PC stands w/ undocumented students. #freedomeducation fubd pic.twitter.com/MIquG3OiS5
— Ankur Singh (@ankrsingh) April 7, 2016
We must address systemic injustice and the freedom education fund does this. #freedomeducationfund
— Ankur Singh (@ankrsingh) April 7, 2016
Through this fee we are joining our peers around the world in fighting against injustice #nicod #freedomeducationfund
— Ankur Singh (@ankrsingh) April 7, 2016
Pc is forging a new way for u documentrd students in az to receive an education #freeomeducationfund
— Ankur Singh (@ankrsingh) April 7, 2016
We hope our States and colleges will follow PC's leadership by opening the doors to the undocumented community #freedomeducationfund
— Ankur Singh (@ankrsingh) April 7, 2016
To the Prescott college community who created and fought for this scholarship know that we have your back. #freedomeducationfund
— Ankur Singh (@ankrsingh) April 7, 2016
Press conference #nicod #freedomeducationfund pic.twitter.com/9vCj8Xmv5T
— Ankur Singh (@ankrsingh) April 7, 2016