While two bills impacting student admissions in state universities and colleges have been introduced in the House and Senate, they have drastic differences, and one seems to be causing a stir among Georgia Republicans.
One bill, introduced by State Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) is designed to increase the number of in-state students admitted to the University System of Georgia’s top-tier schools. The other bill, introduced by State Representative Brenda Lopez Romero (D-Norcross) and House Minority Leader Bob Trammell (D-Luthersville), along with other Democrats, would allow high schools graduates in Georgia to receive in-state tuition rates, regardless of their immigration status. InsiderAdvantage has learned that many state Republican leaders have expressed concern over this piece of legislation. HB 896 was introduced last week but has not been assigned to a committee.
Beach’s SB 282 has been assigned to the Senate High Education Committee. And according to Beach, it would require the university system to make sure at least 90% of early admissions to the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and Augusta University are offered to in-state students. Beach said that due to the high demand for students to get into Georgia’s top universities, it is not uncommon for high school students carrying a 4.0 grade-point average or better with high standardized test scores to be denied admission.
“I want to take care of our parents, who are hardworking taxpayers, and our students,” said Beach, adding that Georgia seems to lose a lot of top students to surrounding states.
In contrast, HB 896 would guarantee in-state tuition rates to all Georgia high school graduates who attend at least three years of high school in our state regardless of their immigration status.
“The state has invested in our K-12 education system to ensure that we have the highest educated population because an undereducated workforce undermines Georgia’s economy,” said Rep. Lopez Romero. “House Bill 896 would ensure that our state has a well-educated workforce, and as a result, Georgia would continue to be the number one state to do business.”
According to information from the National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states, including Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas, New Mexico and Utah, have enacted similar laws to offer in-state tuition to students regardless of immigration status, and seven states have enacted similar policies through their university system. These laws typically require attendance and graduation at state high schools, acceptance at a state college or university and promising to apply for legal status as soon as eligible.
