does it really benefit the USA to not allow financial aid to undocumented students who want to attend college?

As an immigrant I should say that YES, students with high GPAs should receive financial aid. That bullpoop about every "illegal" receiving financial aid means an american is left out is plain ignorance.

I know many, many, many americans who don't go to school simply because they are lazy.

In my eyes, an american person, born and raised in the US, born to american parents, should have enough money to afford college.

Why you say? I set myself as an example:

I moved to the US 7 years ago without speaking any english nor having any skills. Today, I can afford to go to school, pay my house and my brand-new car. If I was born in the US I'd probably own it by now...

Sure, I had to do odd jobs and do stuff I wasn't used to, but in the end, it has paid off.

If I could do it, I cannot imagine why an american cannot do it.

It would DEFINITELY benefit the US to have these skilled people working in the US, for the US, instead of other countries; say China, India, etc.

To those of you who are going to flame me, remember I'm saying that ONLY THOSE STUDENTS WITH HIGH GPAS should receive the aid.

TO FRED:

If your son has a higher GPA than Stephanie and is an american citizen that means he qualifies for scholarships... you shouldn't have to pay for his education since he's a good student... like Stephanie.

Sure. If they've done the work, put in the effort, are academically qualified and are residents of the state then they should get the education they've earned. Their parents pay the sales and property taxes that pay for the ed systems. These kids you're asking about were brought here as infants and children and, for all intents and purposes, are "from here". Why not label someone brought to California from Minnesota when they were an infant a non-resident, too? As a member of a long-time CA family, I wouldn't mind seeing all the out-of-staters treated like the foreign colonists they are. We had a nice state until it filled up with Mid-Westerners and Southerners. What's not fair is letting an all-American slacker who spends more time demanding what's due him that he hasn't earned than reading get the financial aid that should be given according to academic merit.

Documented or undocumented a lot of students have to work menial jobs and take time off to earn some money to live on and pay tuition. If someone wants to attend college bad enough they will do it just like your friend is doing. It might take longer and it might be harder but it won't hurt her. I don't understand the part of "due to financial hardship she started high school at 12" most students start at 13 or 14.

My great grandparents immigrated to this country (both sides) legally.

I am an American citizen.

I started working at the age of 12.

I had a better GPA than Stephanie.

I received zero financial aid.

I graduated.

I still work.

I pay taxes. Lots of them.

My oldest just started college this year.

He had a better GPA than Stephanie.

He gets zero financial aid.

Is Stephanie more deserving than I was because she is an illegal alien?

Is she more deserving than my son after all the taxes I paid?

This has always been the land of "opportunity." It is not the land of handouts and freebies as some would like to have it.

Stephanie should consider herself extremely fortunate for her life's experiences. She knows what it is like to have to work for something which she will appreciate far more than if she had had it given to her.

Unfortunately, people like Stephanie may never understand why she was not entitled to the free education she received for most of her life. She likely will never understand that it wasn't the US government who gave it to her - but it was me who she stole it from.

Building a society of people who believe they deserve something from my pocket for free "just because" is a certain road to societal destruction. So, no, America is not better off taking my hard earned money and giving it to Stephanie.

Obey the law, follow the rules, work hard, take part in American society and you will appreciate your life and the rewards you have earned.

Boo hoo! Tons of Americans don't get financial aid (our tax dollars) while I've known illegals and non-citizens that got finiancial aid due to the financial status of their parents. That's wrong and I'm sure finalcial aid or not, illegals who are college students are far better off here than in their own country. Give a mouse a cookie...

Sorry, I am one of those who is against in state tuition for illegals. Where is so little financial aid to go around, it is only fair that those who are here legal should have the aid. Most but not all illegals get paid under the table, so therefore they because of the low incomes would get the majority of the limited aid. I used to work at a state univ. and most students got little or no aid

You want to know if her getting a education would help our country, in the short run maybe but in the long run it would only encourage more to do the same, coming here illegally

Heck no

Having people educated its the best that can happen to a country. The most educated its a country the most possibilities it has to be a great nation.

I think that they should provide financial aid base on your grades and not your status.

Cause even if you are an american and other its illegal. The best student should have it

Yes it does. In a perfect world there would be enough money for any child who wants to and has the qualifications to go to a good college. However, that isn't the case. For every illegal immigrant who gets a discount to go, an American doesn't get to go.

Their children are not more important than ours, particularly when we are the ones paying the taxes to fund the universities.

They get the funding first if they are poorer - not fitter.

And no, I think it hurts America.

hard work never killed any one:) They where lucky enough to get a free education in public schools in the US and not to mention free lunches and b-fasts and where taught to speak english. A really good question! Many Americans Go through the same hardships and are never informed on finacial aid or even told people want them to go to college. Some even refuse it out of pride! it is where you put yourself and how you imagine yourself THAT REALLY MATTERS.

She would also have to pay out of state tuition. But, Game she is illegal and those funds should be for American citizens. It is bad enough that people out of country can get temporary visas to further their education; however, they are doing it legally and paying a very high price to get that education.

Many Americans pay and work to attend college. That should be no different for anyone who is illegal, but then if she is illegal, she should not expect special treatment for her status and get fair treatment.