In California, the Senate passed SB540 that allows students who have attended school here in the state for at least 3 years to apply and receive in-state tuition rates for college. The problem that occurs is that these students are NOT eligible for any financial assistance through the state or federal government. Many other states offer the same benefit.
However, that all said, does that mean that those who are here without the proper legal documentation a student who has been schooled in the U. S. should be unable to attend the college of their choice? Have you heard the story of Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa?
Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, a renowned brain surgeon at John Hopkins University and whose story figured prominently on CBS 60 Minutes is an immigrant who came to American illegally and exemplifies an element of the immigration debate not often heard on cable talking head shows. Quinones-Hinojosa as he put it “hopped the fence” – his words – from Mexico in 1986 and worked in the fields before he was able to put himself through Cal-Berkeley and Harvard. He says proudly..... “ The same hands that picked tomatoes are now picking at brain stems,” and then he smiles.
Dr. Quiñones was an illegal immigrant, entering the United States after hopping over a border fence in Mexicali. Through years of determined work as a farm worker, he saved enough money to become a U.S. citizen. His life's story was told as a documentary by others.
He started his U.S. education at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, and completed his bachelor's degree at University of California, Berkeley. He then went on to receive his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, where he graduated with honors. After completing his residency in neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship in developmental and stem cell biology, he became an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Oncology at Johns Hopkins.
Dr. Quiñones serves as the director of the brain tumor program at The Johns Hopkins Bayview campus. He focuses on the surgical treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors, with an emphasis on motor and speech mapping during surgery. He is expert in treating intradural spinal tumors as well as brainstem and eloquent brain tumors in adults with the use of neurophysiological monitoring during surgery. He further specializes in the treatment of patients with pituitary tumors using a transphenoidal endonasal approach with surgical navigation and/or endoscopic techniques.
Dr. Quinones has a strong interest in treating patients with skull base tumors and the use of radiosurgery as an adjunct to the treatment of these lesions. He conducts numerous research efforts on elucidating the role of stem cells in the origin of brain tumors and the potential role stem cells can play in fighting brain cancer and regaining neurological function.
His most recent accolade was being honored with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Ronald Bittner Award. He has also received multiple teaching awards including Popular Science's Brilliant Ten list in 2008.
Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa has been nominated by Johns Hopkins University to be one of the USA Science and Engineering Festival's Nifty Fifty Speakers, and as such also speaks about his work and career to middle and high school students.
That is a pretty amazing story don't you think? I am sure there are many more who are similar to Dr. Quinones, and who face the same struggles.
To those who think that because of their immigrant status or standing puts them in harms way or, that college is "only" a dream, perhaps you should think again. Did you know there are privately funded resources that are available for all students regardless of immigration status?
These are scholarships do not require a social security number, legal residency, or citizenship in order to apply. Students who are interested in these kinds of awards should contact each scholarship provider for details about updated requirements and deadlines. They are scholarships which are funded privately by individuals, groups, societies, etc.
If you are a student who wants to go to college but fear that you will not be able to attend due to your residency status or because you can not find financial aid to fit your need. Our program works with Avid and International students. We help point students in the right direction toward academic success.
