Marymount University Welcomes Governor Northam to Sign Dreamer Financial Aid Bills

On Monday June 14th, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam visited Marymount University campus to hold a ceremonial signing of the House Bill 2123 and Senate Bill 1387 in the Reinsch Auditorium. This law goes into effect August 2022 and entitles Virginia students to government grants if they are eligible for government grants in the fall of 2022, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

“These students grew up in our communities across Virginia. They went to the same schools as their classmates and neighbors, they took the same tests, they played in the same teams, they ate in the same canteens and even went to the same dances, ”said Northam. “They are valued members of our communities, and they are literally Virginians.”

This law, which will take effect in August 2022, entitles Virginia students to government grants if they are eligible for government coursework in the fall of 2022, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. At private facilities like Marymount, this allows Dreamer students to receive financial assistance through Virginia’s TAG program, which improves access to colleges and opens the door for more students to achieve their goals and aspirations.

A Marymount student who will have access to TAG funds spoke during the ceremony about the importance of legislation and why it will be important to her academic journey. Karla Mercado Dorado, a sophomore studying biology on the pre-med track, came to the United States from Bolivia at the age of two. She shared with the audience about the challenges she faced during her college quest as an undocumented student and how opening up the TAG program puts Virginia on the path to a more progressive and inclusive Commonwealth.

“You are told that if you work hard, if you do everything right, you will succeed and get where you want to be. Unfortunately, we can work as hard as we want for undocumented students like me and there will always be these barriers, ”said Dorado. “Signing this law means a lot to me and to other students I know who want to get training.”

Dr. Irma Becerra, president of Marymount University, is a Cuban-born immigrant who said her family left Cuba with nothing.

“This legislation will prove Virginia leads the nation by helping students achieve their dream of accessing post-secondary education by providing college grants or government-sponsored financial aid to students attending Virginia’s independent colleges when they are in public Visit the facility, ”said Becerra.

Several Virginia state lawmakers attended the event, including Sen. Jennifer Boysko and Del. Alfonso Lopez, the main sponsors of the bills in the Senate and Commonwealth of Representatives.

“But I had the opportunity to get Pell scholarships and study grants when I went to college, and I will fight forever to ensure that students have the same opportunities I had when I came to this country.”

“Virginia is better when we have a more educated community,” said Senator Boysko. “We have the high-tech jobs of the 21st century – we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, because we know that there are many jobs that are vacant.”

This legislation builds on bills signed in 2020 that allow Virginia students to receive state tuition fees regardless of immigration status.

“With this, Virginia is finally delivering on the promises and investments we made in these students from kindergarten through high school,” added Del. Lopez added.

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