in-state student status; nonimmigrant aliens

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text specifies eligibility for 'any university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents or at any community college,' but does not explicitly list all specific institutions.

HB2572: In-State Tuition for Certain Nonimmigrant Aliens and Others

This bill allows certain students who are not nonimmigrant aliens, including those without lawful immigration status, to pay in-state tuition if they attended high school in Arizona.

What This Bill Does

• Amends section 15-1803 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding student classification for tuition purposes.
• Allows students who are not nonimmigrant aliens under federal law to qualify for in-state tuition at universities and community colleges if they meet specific requirements.
• Requires eligible students to have attended a public or private high school, homeschool equivalent, while physically present in Arizona for at least two years.
• Requires eligible students to graduate from an Arizona high school program or obtain a high school equivalency diploma while physically present in the state.
• Confirms that aliens granted refugee status under U.S. law remain entitled to classification as an in-state student if they meet other domicile requirements.
• States that persons without lawful immigration status are eligible for in-state tuition if they meet the attendance and graduation requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students who attended or graduated from Arizona public, private, or homeschool equivalent programs while physically present in the state.
• Nonimmigrant aliens under federal law (specifically those excluded by this bill's definition).
• Persons without lawful immigration status seeking tuition rates at state universities or community colleges.

Terms To Know

In-state student status

A classification that allows a student to pay lower tuition rates reserved for residents of the state.

Nonimmigrant alien

A person who is not a U.S. citizen and does not have permanent resident status, as defined in federal law section 1101(a)(15).

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill only takes effect if it receives an affirmative vote from at least three-fourths of the members in both houses of the Arizona Legislature.
• The official text does not list a specific date when this bill becomes active after passing.

Official Summary Text

HB2572 - in-state student status; nonimmigrant aliens

Current Bill Text

HB2572 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
in-state student status; nonimmigrant aliens

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HB 2572

Introduced by

Representatives
M�rquez: Garcia, Sandoval

AN
ACT

amending section 15-1803, Arizona
Revised Statutes; relating to classification of students for tuition purposes.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Subject to the requirements of
article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona, section 15-1803,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
15-1803.

Alien in-state student status; nonresident tuition
exemption

A. An alien is entitled to classification as an in-state
refugee student if the person has been granted refugee status in accordance
with all applicable laws of the United States and has met all other
requirements for domicile.

B. Notwithstanding any other law, a student, other
than a nonimmigrant alien as described in 8 United States Code section
1101(a)(15), who meets both of the following requirements is eligible for
in-state tuition at any university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board
of regents or at any community college as defined in section 15-1401:

1. Attended
any

or
is attending a
public or private high school option or homeschool
equivalent pursuant to section 15-802 while physically present in this
state for at least two years.

2. Graduated from any public or private high school
option or homeschool equivalent pursuant to section 15-802 while
physically present in this state or obtained a high school equivalency diploma
in this state.

C. Persons without lawful immigration status are
eligible for in-state tuition pursuant to subsection B of this section.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.
Requirements for
enactment; three-fourths vote

Pursuant to article IV, part 1,
section 1, Constitution of Arizona, section 15-1803, Arizona Revised
Statutes, as amended by this act, is effective only on the affirmative vote of
at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the legislature.