Starting this year, undocumented students who reside in California and who were born in Jalisco, México will have the opportunity to apply for a special grant that will help them with college tuition and related expenses if they pursue higher education.
Last Tuesday, Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Ángeles and author of the DREAM act recognized a legislative delegation from the state of Jalisco on the floor of the Assembly at the State Capitol for adopting a resolution commending California for the approval of the DREAM act.
The delegation also established a scholarship program to assist students in California who plan to obtain higher education.
This decision marks the first time a state of Mexico supports a bill passed in California.
The scholarship will be worth $10,000 and applications will be available at local Jaliscience Clubs. Although members of the Jalisco legislature do not know what requirements students will need to be eligible for the scholarship, officials in Jalisco hope this will be the first step in ensuring access to higher education for undocumented students who won't have access to financial aid until Jan. 2013. They hope more states in Mexico will follow their example.