While hanging out with friends over the summer, a University of Texas undocumented student got an email stating that their tuition bill had just been issued. The student, who asked for anonymity due to safety concerns, said they opened the notification and saw their tuition increase from roughly $11,000 to around $40,000 per year.
“I just started crying,” the student said. “I remember it was a shocking moment.”
In June of this year, a federal judge struck down the Texas Dream Act, a law that allowed undocumented students in public universities to receive in-state tuition under certain conditions. These included living in the state for at least three years and signing an affidavit agreeing to apply for legal status as soon as they could. There were 57,000 undocumented students enrolled in Texas higher education in 2022, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit that advocates for fair immigration laws. The overturning of the Texas Dream Act means undocumented students now have to pay out-of-state tuition costs, which are dramatically higher than in-state rates: Currently, in-state tuition at UT is around $11,687 and out-of-state tuition is $44,908, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Since the undocumented student couldn’t pay the out-of-state tuition rate, they decided to leave UT and look for other educational options back in their hometown. The university had been their dream school since they were 13 years old, they said.
“I had already registered for my courses for my fall semester of 2025, so I was very excited to work with some of the professors that I had already known,” the student said. “It was a heartbreaking moment for me. … I really didn’t want to let go of the school.”
They’re not alone in facing sticker shock. Rooted, a collective of UT immigrant students and alumni, is administering a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help undocumented students enrolled at the university finance college. The organization wants to reach $150,000 to keep 30 undocumented students enrolled at UT. At the time of publication, the collective has raised over $13,000.
Victoria, a Rooted co-lead who requested to be referred to by her first name due to fear of retaliation, said the funds will go toward helping students cover tuition, housing, and other expenses.
“This last-minute change about a month out from the start of school meant that students have to make up thousands of dollars to continue their education,” Victoria said. “We made a fundraiser to try to figure out how we can meet that gap.”
UT did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Before students could be considered to receive funds, Victoria said the collective asked them to fill out an application where they disclose personal information, such as changes in tuition costs and how they are paying for their education.
“It’s a real challenge,” Victoria said. “We’ve been communicating with the applicants because it’s a very hard decision to make, knowing the different situations students are in. The best we can do is provide both an equitable and equal weight to every student.”
Although the collective is trying to take into consideration all of the applicants’ needs, Victoria said Rooted would like to see students in their last year cross the stage on time.
“A priority was seniors because that number would have been way higher,” Victoria said, referring to the difference between remaining tuition costs for seniors and other undergraduates. “Seniors already completed most of their education at UT, so for us that was urgent.”
Another undocumented student at UT, who asked for anonymity due to safety concerns, said they applied to receive financial assistance through the Rooted fundraiser for tuition and housing expenses. Although they ultimately decided to withdraw from the university due to the costs, the student said people should consider donating to help students continue their education.
“It’s worth noting that you’re making a difference in people’s lives very directly,” the student said. “Just as simple as someone being able to go back to school is a really rewarding feeling.”
Victoria said Rooted would like to reach the fundraising goal by January to help students pay for spring semester tuition costs and other expenses.
The undocumented student who went back to their hometown said they are currently trying to gain lawful presence status through a family member. Once they achieve this, they would like to continue their original education plans.
“Right now, it’s just a waiting game and having patience,” the student said. “I can hopefully maybe be able to go back to UT, because it’s definitely something that I don’t want to give up on.”
This article appears in November 21 • 2025.