Can undocumented students go to college in Texas? Sí, pero... 😔

[Jeffrey]

I've lived in Texas since I was two. I graduated in the top 10% of my class. I want to be a teacher. But every time I think about college, my stomach knots up.

The Texas Dream Act used to let us pay in-state tuition. It passed in 2001. It was our law. But last year? A federal judge struck it down. Texas chose not to defend it. Now? Nobody knows what's next.

Thousands of students like me signed affidavits, planned our lives around this. Now we're in limbo. Some colleges are still figuring it out. Others? Not so much.

Can we go to college? Technically yes. Can we afford it? That's the real question.

 

[Alice]

Let me break down the current chaos :

• The ruling: Federal judge struck down in-state tuition for undocumented students in June 2025
• The state response: Texas didn't defend the law; coordinating board told colleges to reclassify students
• The problem: No clear guidance on who counts as "lawfully present" (DACA recipients are in a gray area)
• The result: Some schools (like UT-Austin) sent confusing messages; others (like Texas A&M) accepted more documents
• The appeal: Fifth Circuit is reviewing; nothing final yet

It's a mess. But some schools are handling it better than others. Ask questions before enrolling.