Mientras el presidente electo Donald Trump anuncia que esta semana personas de línea dura en materia de migración serán subdirectores del gabinete y zares de la frontera, los grupos que apoyan a los estudiantes universitarios indocumentados en California se comprometen a defender sus derechos.

Las universidades de Golden State atienden a 83,000 estudiantes indocumentados, según Higher Ed Immigration Portal.

Jessie Ryan es presidenta de Campaign for College Opportunity, que forma parte de la Coalición de Educación Superior para Indocumentados de California.

"Tuvimos una visión de algunas de las cosas que se podrían hacer en las declaraciones del Proyecto 2025," explica Ryan, "considerando cuestiones como la deportación masiva y el fin de las vías para obtener la ciudadanía."

También existe la preocupación de que la administración Trump pueda retirar la autorización de trabajo DACA a los llamados Dreamers, personas que fueron traídas a los EE.UU. cuando eran niños. En el sitio web de la Coalición de Indocumentados de California para la Educación Superior se puede encontrar un mapa de recursos desglosados por campus.

Ryan dice que espera que la ley del estado santuario de California evite cualquier redada de migración en los campus universitarios, pero no hay garantías.

"El ambiente es muy desalentador, tanto en la coalición como entre nuestros estudiantes y familias," dice Ryan. "Muchos de ellos se sienten temerosos e inseguros sobre cual será su futuro y si la universidad seguirá siendo accesible para ellos, o si incluso se les valora como parte de las comunidades universitarias."

El gobernador Gavin Newsom acaba de convocar una sesión especial de la Legislatura y ha creado un fondo legal para hacer frente a los esfuerzos por deshacer las protecciones para las poblaciones vulnerables.

El apoyo para este reportaje fue aportado por la Fundación Lumina.


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Connecticut is launching its Student Loan Reimbursement Program Jan. 1.

The program was created through legislation passed by the state's General Assembly earlier this year. With $6 million in funding, it will reduce state borrowers more than $18 billion in student loan debt. Aside from being a Connecticut resident for five consecutive years, they need to have performed 50 hours of volunteer work at an approved organization in 2024.

Michael Criscuolo, associate administrative fiscal officer for the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, mentioned some of the other eligibility requirements.

"They must have an outstanding student loan balance," Criscuolo outlined. "And during 2024, have paid towards a Federal Direct loan, a Direct Plus loan, a Perkins loan, a state-sponsored student loan or even a private loan."

The reimbursement is based on how much a person paid toward their loan this year. If they paid $100 a month, they could receive $1,200 of debt relief. Some could receive up to $5,000 dollars a year with a $20,000 cap over four years. The program is first come, first served.

Criscuolo pointed out response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive. He noted there are many frequently asked questions regarding eligibility or whether an organization counts for the volunteer requirement but he added people are looking forward to the launch.

"People think that it's a great program," Criscuolo observed. "We're anticipating hundreds of thousands of applications. It's capped at $6 million, and we're anticipating that we can pay between 1,200 and 3,000 students."

The totals will depend on how much money people have paid toward their loans. He emphasized any time people can alleviate debt from student loans is helpful. Under President Joe Biden's student loan debt forgiveness, more than 7,200 Connecticut borrowers had more than $309 million forgiven.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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Indiana families see value in higher education, but many are still confused about how to pay for it.

A new survey by INvestEd, a nonprofit based in the state, shows 83% of Hoosiers believe in the importance of postsecondary education.

However, concerns about student loan debt and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, leave some hesitant.

INvestEd Vice President of Marketing Bill Wozniak said families often feel overwhelmed navigating financial aid.

"That confusion really leads people to often walk away from post-secondary education all together," said Wozniak, "or sometimes, make bad choices and over-borrow."

Indiana recently improved FAFSA completion rates despite national challenges. Updates to the application caused delays, but Wozniak said the process has greatly improved this year.

The priority deadline for filing is April 15, 2025.

According to Wozniak, families must act quickly to access key programs like the Frank O'Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholars program.

"Glitches and problems could be ironed out for the most part before the new year began," said Wozniak. "And we are very happy to report that the form is performing extremely well."

INvestEd provides free support to students and families through 900 events each year, plus online and phone help. Officials emphasize that higher education is attainable with the right guidance.

For more information, visit investedindiana.org or call 317-715-9007.



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Students at eight Arkansas community colleges can benefit from new micro-courses to prepare for the workforce.

The schools are collaborating with the Education Design Lab to create a curriculum of credentialing classes, or micro-pathways, which when combined, prepare a student for a job at or above the local median wage.

Lucas Paxton, director of digital learning at Northwest Arkansas Community College, said they are getting input from employers and community leaders to ensure students have the skills needed for available positions.

"We're seeing a transition to less need for the bachelor's degree, less need for the associate degree," Paxton observed. "They want that targeted training that's specific to the job that they have available. And so, these micro-credentials will give a quicker, less expensive pathway to those jobs."

He pointed out students can complete the credentials in less than a year, saving them time and money.

Other colleges participating in the collaboration include South Arkansas College, Arkansas State University in Newport and University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. Credits for credentials earned at one college can be transferred to other schools in the group.

Paxton emphasized the program enhances the relationship between schools.

"I would like to see us collaborate a lot more," Paxton added. "I think that will just benefit all of our students because they can go to different institutions with these micro-credentials, and they'll be immediately recognized."

Credit for earned credentials can also go toward an associate degree. Other schools participating include Arkansas State University Three Rivers, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, East Arkansas Community College and North Arkansas College.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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