The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania State University, challenging the college’s policy that allows undocumented students to qualify for reduced tuition rates.
The lawsuit alleges that Penn State’s practice of offering lower tuition to undocumented students violates federal law. The policy, which has been in place for several years, permits students who are not legally authorized to reside in the United States to pay a rate lower than that charged to out‑of‑state students.
Under the federal policy, states may set tuition rates for in‑state and out‑of‑state students, but the Justice Department argues that extending a reduced rate to undocumented students is inconsistent with the federal definition of “in‑state” residency.
Pennsylvania State University is one of the largest public universities in the United States, serving more than 100,000 students across its campuses. The university has defended its tuition policy as a means of providing access to higher education for a vulnerable student population.
The lawsuit is part of a broader debate over the rights of undocumented students to receive in‑state tuition rates and the legal framework governing higher‑education funding in the United States.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
