(3) Rising tuition costs, increasingly restrictive
eligibility criteria for financial aid programs and other
trends in higher education finance impede access to a higher
education for many students, especially students in immigrant
communities.
(4) Although extending in-State tuition to students in
immigrant communities will help them more easily afford
higher education in this Commonwealth, access to financial
aid is also necessary for them to achieve the American dream.
(5) It is of utmost importance that children in
immigrant communities have every opportunity to position
themselves for economic success so that they can obtain the
knowledge and tools necessary to help the Commonwealth
maintain its competitive edge in the world economy.
(6) It is the intent of this act to identify the
principles under which in-State tuition and financial aid
will be extended to students in immigrant communities.
(7) For the purposes of 8 U.S.C. § 1621(d) (relating to
aliens who are not qualified aliens or nonimmigrants
ineligible for State and local public benefits), this act is
a law of the Commonwealth.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency established under the act of August 7, 1963 (P.L.549,
No.290), known as the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency Act.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
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