Bill OK’d that grants Indiana tuition to some immigrants

Indiana legislators have approved allowing in-state tuition rates for people who entered the country illegally and were attending a public college when a state immigration law passed two years ago.

The Senate voted 34-15 Monday in favor of the bill, which was previously approved by the House.

Supporters say the change would help a couple of hundred students who had the rules changed on them after they had already started work on their college degrees. They say many of those students came to Indiana as young children and have been caught in the middle of the national debate over immigration laws.

Affected immigrants still couldn't receive state college financial aid and new students wouldn't be eligible for in-state tuition.

The bill now goes to the governor for consideration.