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Missouri House OKs Ban on Scholarships for some Immigrants

missouri house floor
File photo
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Missouri House Communications
The Missouri House of Representatives

Immigrants living in Missouri illegally couldn't receive scholarships or in-state tuition under a bill approved by the House.

House members voted 111-41 Wednesday in favor of the legislation, which would ban state-funded scholarships for students without lawful immigration status.

The measure also would expand the A+ Scholarship to students studying divinity and theology and would require colleges charge some immigrant students an international tuition rate.

Republican Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, of Shell Knob, says his bill aims to prevent money from the already financially strapped A+ Scholarship from going to immigrants living in the state illegally.

Students who would be affected by the bill worry the financial barrier could stop them from attending college in the U.S.

The bill now moves to the Senate, which is considering a similar bill.

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