I don't think anyone on this site would doubt that I'm pretty liberal, but this kind of stuff makes me very, very angry.  I grew up in a blue collar home where my dad had two jobs so my mom could stay home.  AND, my mom took in house cleaning and babysitting jobs when she could.  All through my childhood school days, I got nothing less than a 3.95 GPA.  I worked my butt off.  My goal was to be the first in our family to go to college.  I was a citizen.  I was a good fit for academia (in that I love learning, even today!).  I worked from 8th grade on to pay for my "wants".  I did get some great scholarship offers based on my good grades and community service activities, but no one handed it to me on a platter because of my ethnic or immigrant status.  My dad barely cleared the poverty level at the time (but we were good because you can live off less when you have all the produce you need in your backyard).  The amount of grant and loan monies I receievd was pitiful compared to what they want to offer these kids.  I was finally able to take out Unsubsidized Loans and Pell Grants ONLY AFTER I had my first child (*I was almost 20 when I had her).  If I had stayed unmarried, then there would've been even less money that what I got.

So...all that babbling brings me to my point: Why are we handing out money and discounts to illegal immigrant children when there is no shortage of AMERICAN BORN children who need this help?  It makes no sense at all.  I've actually heard people argue that, because American kids get a free public education, this program would "even the playing field."  But, I have to ask where these people believe the immigrant children were educated?  Generally, they attended American schools just like us poor kids.  In the majority of cases, they were the beneficiaries of more services  (English as a second language classes, special classes, and free lunches/breakfasts).  All on  the public's dime.  

Newsflash: College is out of reach for MANY students.   Not just illegals.  The proponents of this issue argue that the children of illegals shouldn't be penalized for their parents choices.  And, that may be so.  But, what about kids like me?  Why was it okay for me to pay for the choices my parents made (working two jobs and scraping by)?  Are these people seriously under the impression that funding college is a piece of cake for citizens?  It's not!  Last time I checked, there were colleges in foreign countries.  Even some American kids go to other countries for their higher education, so I'm not sure why we're supposed to give illegals a free pass or feel bad because that would mean leaving their homes.  I had to leave my home to take advantage of the best grants/scholarships *I* could get.  They can, too.

Wait, let me get this straight PM.  If your child goes to an out of state university she will have to pay the horrendous out of state tuition fees but if an illegal from another country want to go to said school they get AID? 

Before I start pulling my hair out and screaming let me be sure I have that right.

Pretty much.  I think, though I'm not the original poster of the article, the argument is that illegals should receive a discount (like in state tuition) at universities because of hardship.  But, if you or I wanted out kids to go out of state (or to any other foreign country, for that matter), then they (our children) would be responsible for the out-of-state charge.  I'm not sure about the award of financial aid for illegals.  I suspect that they would not be eligible for Stafford Loans or other federally subsidized (or unsubsidized) loans.  I think that you have to prove citizenship for those.  But, there are many, many grants that the children of immigrants can receive if they have the right GPA and/or ethnic make-up.  We have a friend who is here legally from El Salvador and she got a full ride to CSU Channel Islands.  She said it was ridiculously easy to get her grant and that she turned down as much as she took.  And, really, I don't have a problem with grants or scholarships.  I just think it's unfair to legal citizens to give illegals in-state tuition.  I also think it should be required that they go back to their country of origin and obtain a legal student visa before being enrolled.  If people from Canada have to get a visa to go to school in the United States, then so should every other student without citizenship. 

Although technically giving in state tuition rates to out of state students isn't aid, it amounts to the same thing.  I agree with you, it's unfair to all who go through the system legally.  My grandson had a full ride at Santa Cruz his freshman year but lost it the second year when he transferred back to Bakersfield.  After that he completed college with whatever grants he could get and with student loans.

NOW I can start screaming and pulling my hair out.

Bakersfield College does this too.  OH except when the person is a LEGAL student from Mexico - they pay the full out of state tuition. We had a wonderful Mexican student who went through all the paperwork for a student visa so he could come to BC. HE paid out of state tuition. He was there for 2 years, took all the automotive classes (that is all he wanted) went back home and opened his own business!! Doing very well last I heard!