Maryland DREAM Act

1. Maryland DREAM Act

2. What is the Maryland DREAM Act about? • The Maryland DREAM Act is about educating our Maryland kids.  • It’s about fairness. • It’s about givingtalented, committed kids from our communities an equal chance at a great Maryland education.

3. It’s simple: This law is about kids. • This law is about educating talented kids who have graduated from Maryland high schools. • The DREAM Act is SMART and sends a clear message to ALLour children--working hard and doing well in school matters.  

4. What the Dream Act Does The Dream Act provides a way for talented youth from our communities who are undocumented, as well as military stationed here, topay in-state tuition at Maryland community colleges and universities.

5. DREAM Background • The DREAM Act was passed in 2011. • There are 12 other states that have also passed local DREAM laws. • After the DREAM Act was passed opponents collected enough signatures to put the DREAM law on hold and place it on our state November 6, 2012 ballot.

6. Students Who Apply Through the DREAM Act Are Committed to Education • Must have attended a Maryland high school for at least three years; • Must receive a high school diploma or equivalent in Maryland; and • Must apply to community college within 4 years of graduation.

7. To be eligible for the Maryland DREAM Act… Youth Are Committed Residents of Maryland, The Only Place Most of Them Know As Home • Must attend the community college in their Maryland county or region • Must file Maryland taxes • Must register with selective service • Must agree to become a citizen when eligible

8. Maryland DREAM Act: True or False?

9. True or False? The MD DREAM Act allows undocumented students to pay the same price as their peers at state community colleges and Universities. TRUE! Currently, talented undocumented youth must pay double or triple the tuition rates of their peers, which means most can’t afford college.

10. True or False? The DREAM Act gives undocumented immigrants a benefit that other Maryland residents wouldn’t get. False! DREAM FACT: The MD DREAM Law provides that all Maryland students be treated equally. Eligible students can pay the same in-state tuition rates as their peers.

11. True or False? In order for students to be eligible for the Maryland DREAM Act, they or their families must pay taxes. TRUE! They must prove that they or their guardian/family have filed state income taxes.

12. True or False? The Maryland DREAM Act only applies to undocumented immigrants. FALSE! DREAM FACT:The DREAM Law includes current military stationed in Maryland & our veterans. It extends the time period from one to four years after discharge that a veteran can qualify for in-state tuition at a community college or state university.

13. True or False? The DREAM Act rewards people who have broken the law. FALSE! DREAM FACT: The immigrant children who will benefit from the DREAM Act were brought to America by their parents. They have graduated from our Maryland schools, speak English, and want to contribute to the country they love.

14. True or False? By allowing undocumented immigrant students in-state tuition rates, it will take away spaces for other kids. FALSE! DREAM FACT: The law states that immigrant and military students eligible under this law will not take seats from those that are reserved for Maryland residents.

15. True or False? The DREAM Law will bring more benefits than costs to the State of Maryland in the long run. TRUE! DREAM FACT:Better educated students can earn more and pay more taxes.

16. Let’s Review:Who is Affected? • Young people who grow up in Maryland • Immigrant kids who work hard, speak English, and graduated from high school in Maryland • Kids who want to go to college in Maryland so they can get ahead and give back to the state that has given them that opportunity.

17. What is the best way to describe the Maryland DREAM Act? • It is a simple matter of fairness. • Maryland kids whose families pay Maryland taxes should pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.

18. Question 4Public Institutions of Higher Education – Tuition Rates Establishes that individuals, including undocumented immigrants, are eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at community colleges in Maryland, provided the student meets certain conditions relating to attendance and graduation from a Maryland high school, filing of income taxes, intent to apply for permanent residency, and registration with the selective service system (if required); makes such students eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at a four-year public college or university if the student has first completed 60 credit hours or graduated from a community college in Maryland; provides that students qualifying for in-state tuition rates by this method will not be counted as in-state students for purposes of counting undergraduate enrollment; and extends the time in which honorably discharged veterans may qualify for in-state tuition rates. ___For the Referred Law___Against the Referred Law

19. Putting this into practice… Now let’s practice what you’ve learned. Please turn to your neighbor and take turns teaching the other the importance of the Maryland DREAM law.

20. National Implications: • Maryland is the first state to put DREAM on the ballot. • THREAT: If DREAM is defeated on Election Day it will have both local and national impact. • OPPORTUNITY. We can send an important message by working to ensure a Maryland DREAM victory on 11/6/12.

22. Road to Victory… MD IAF Goals • Recruit 450 DREAM Ambassadors • 20,000 Face to Face Conversations & DREAM Pledge Cards. • Over 250 DREAM Training Sessions • DREAM Actions

23. If I want DREAM to pass on 11/6, what can I do? • Pledge to Vote FOR Question 4 • Educate at least 4 people about Question 4 • Attend our DREAM Assembly on 10/23 at 7:15PM • To learn more go to: www.MD-IAF.org