SOUTH BEND -- Some Indiana colleges are trying to attract more Hispanic students to their campuses including those who are in the country illegally, school officials said.
Indiana University South Bend, Ivy Tech, Holy Cross, Southwestern Michigan and Ancilla colleges plan special days this week to attract Hispanic students to visit their campuses.
They put out the word in English and Spanish.
Illegal status and having little access to financial aid can be major hurdles to Hispanic students obtaining higher education, the South Bend Tribune reported Monday.
''We are taking applications regardless of immigration status,'' said Lauren Cikara, IUSB's assistant director of admissions.
Undocumented residents under 21 who attended an Indiana high school for at least three years and graduated or earned an equivalency degree are eligible for in-state tuition rates at any IU campus, the paper reported. Officials said the policy is believed to date from the early 1970s.
Ivy Tech recently adopted a similar statewide policy that goes into effect this summer. The school offers in-state tuition rates to undocumented residents who attended an Indiana high school and live in the state.
Convincing undocumented Hispanic families that the recruitment effort is not a governmental sting operation to identify and deport them is a challenge, Cikara said. The college does not report them to federal officals, and they do not need a visa to attend school, she said.
Those living in the United States illegally cannot receive federal and state financial aid. But they can apply for local and institution-based scholarships, which IUSB does offer.
''We need to let the community know there are resources for their students to go on with their educations,'' Cikara said.
IUSB has established book grants for fall freshmen who are Hispanic or black. Eligible students can receive up to $300 per semester to buy textbooks.
In fall 2003, 181 IUSB students identified themselves as Hispanic -- 2.4 percent of the student body. By fall 2004, IUSB Hispanic enrollment had risen to 194 students or 2.7 percent.
Policies vary among area colleges. Holy Cross, a private South Bend college, does not accept undocumented residents for admission.
''We want to encourage students to pursue legal status so they will qualify for financial aid,'' admissions director Vincent Duke said.
Other colleges have different policies and some are struggling to develop them.
Lee O'Connor, an attorney for Indiana Legal Services' Hispanic Law Center, said diplomas might give people skills to help them qualify for residency.
''Education is ultimately going to help people. It may help you qualify (for legal residency),'' O'Connor said. ''Immigration judges like to see people who are trying to improve themselves.''
In-state tuition for undocumented residents has not been a major issue in Indiana, according to state Rep. B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend.
Other states policies range from permitting illegal residents to attend state schools with in-state tuition rates to barring them.
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