In response to the growing Hispanic population in Memphis, Tennessee, now a whopping 5 percent of the population, Christian Brothers University has announced the launch of a new program that offers loans and scholarships to illegal immigrants.
WREG reported on July 28 that CBU is spending $12 million over the next seven years on the Latino Student Success Program, aiding those not eligible for federal or state aid, especially illegal immigrants.
“All $12M of CBU’s goes directly towards tuition for the students enrolled in the program. The cost of the program does not include the increased support services, [such as] student advising, language assistance, etc. which will benefit not only the Latino students enrolled in this program, but also other second language learners, and international students,” said Wendy Summer-Winter, senior director of External Affair Relations at CBU in an email to Campus Reform.
Rather than focusing on American citizens who overwhelmingly attend the school, pay taxes, and have faced hard economic conditions in recent years as well, Dr. Paul Haught, the vice president of Academics and Student Life, stated he believes it should go to illegal immigrants.
“So-called undocumented students belong to this class as much as anyone. If they are college ready, we invite them to share in CBU’s gifts of teaching and service. To that end, we appreciate all of the opportunities we receive to connect students with services and funds that make their education a reality,” Haught told the Memphis Business Journal.
CBU President Dr. John Smarelli spoke at a private luncheon and described the initiative as a chance to “increasing educational outcome and opportunities for Latino students.”
He also said that funding comes from a $3.6 million anonymous grant and ongoing support from Latino Memphis.
According to Campus Reform, CBU has committed to raise $1.5 million on its own, and $6.9 will come from annual institutional aid because certain students are not eligible for government funding directly.
