KIMBERLY HEFLING, AP Education Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four states passed statutes last year that will allow students who came to the U.S. without legal permission as minors to pay in-state college tuition.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says Texas is among 15 states that now have in-state tuition statutes.

That total has energized supporters of immigrants' rights, and they're next planning to step up lobbying efforts to make those students eligible for state financial aid programs.

University boards in Hawaii, Michigan and Rhode Island have granted these students in-state tuition. To qualify, high school graduates typically must meet requirements such as living in a state for a certain number of years.

Critics say helping these students encourages unlawful behavior and means they potentially are taking someone else's seat at taxpayers' expense.

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