Kansas among 22 states allowing in-state tuition for undocumented students

(The Sentinel) – For more than 

, the State of Kansas has offered in-state tuition to undocumented students since then-Governor 

 signed 

 into law in 2004. Now, with 

 and 

 discontinuing its programs this year, Kansas remains one of 

 states and the District of Columbia to offer the advantage to illegal aliens.

In the 2025 legislative session in the Sunflower State, an effort was made to outlaw the practice, but 

died in committee.

 in Kansas for in-state tuition includes any student who:

1. has attended an accredited Kansas high school for three or more years and;
2.  has either graduated from an accredited Kansas high school or has earned a GED issued in Kansas and;
3. (a) in the case of a person without lawful immigration status; has signed and filed an affidavit with the institution stating that the person or the person’s parents have filed an application to legalize such person’s immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as such person is eligible to do so, or; (b) in the case of a person with a legal, nonpermanent immigration status, has filed with the postsecondary educational institution an affidavit stating that such person has filed an application to begin the process for U.S. citizenship or will file such application as soon as such person is eligible to do so.

The issue is controversial. 

 argue many undocumented students could not afford ever-increasing tuition without the benefit and become productive and tax-paying members of society with their degree-in-hand.  Opponents counter that the practice discriminates against out-of-state Americans who might wish to attend college in another state but are prevented from doing so by the cost. The discrimination argument is one made by the Trump Administration in its 

 issued in the Spring:

When reached for comment, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins hinted at another attempt at a legislative remedy next year: “Like a lot of people, I was surprised to learn that Kansas was in this group of states. It’s definitely something we’re going to need to take a look at next session.”