HB2572 • 2026

in-state student status; nonimmigrant aliens

HB2572 - in-state student status; nonimmigrant aliens

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Aaron Márquez, Brian Garcia, Mariana Sandoval
Last action: 2026-01-22
Official status: House second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide details on specific nonimmigrant alien classifications or additional requirements beyond those stated.

In-State Student Status for Nonimmigrant Aliens

This bill amends Arizona's law to allow certain nonimmigrant aliens who meet specific requirements to qualify for in-state tuition at public universities and community colleges.

What This Bill Does

Changes the definition of an 'in-state student' to include some nonimmigrant aliens if they have attended high school in Arizona for two years or more.
Requires these students to either graduate from a high school in Arizona or get a GED (high school equivalency diploma) in Arizona to qualify for in-state tuition.

Who It Names or Affects

Nonimmigrant aliens attending or having attended high schools in Arizona
Arizona public universities and community colleges

Terms To Know

nonimmigrant alien: A person who enters the United States for a temporary period of time, such as to study, work, or visit.
in-state tuition: The lower cost of attending college in your own state compared to going out-of-state.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill needs a three-fourths vote from both houses of the Arizona Legislature to become law.
It does not specify what happens if someone does not meet all the requirements for in-state tuition.

Bill History

2026-01-22 House
House second read
2026-01-21 House
House Rules: None
2026-01-21 House
House Appropriations: None
2026-01-21 House
House Education: None
2026-01-21 House
House first read

Official Summary Text

HB2572 - in-state student status; nonimmigrant aliens

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored 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.