GoFundMe
Karla Fernandez started her GoFundMe page April 12 to help raise money for her tuition, which is approximately $33,070 for out-of-state tuition, fees, room and board.
Tuition
For the 2014-15 academic year, Ball State has estimated the cost of the tuition, fees, room and board.
In-state students: $17,804
Out-of-state students: $33,070
House Bill 1402
Gov. Mitch Daniels signed this bill into law May 10, 2011. It prohibits resident tuition for anyone who isn’t in the United States legally.
For one incoming freshman, not even a 4.2 GPA and multiple after-school activities can make up for one major obstacle in trying to pay for college.
Her citizenship status.
Karla Fernandez was accepted to Ball State for this fall, but she came to the United States without legal permission. Though she has lived in Indiana since she was 3, she does not qualify for in-state tuition or certain scholarships because of legislation that passed in 2011 in Indiana.
“I knew I was illegal, but I never realized all the restrictions I would have along the way,” Fernandez said. “I didn’t know I couldn’t receive scholarships. ... A few years ago, students could receive these scholarships if they had a high [grade point average].”
When Fernandez realized her status meant she needed to pay out-of-state costs at Ball State — approximately $33,070 for a year of tuition, fees, room and board — she turned to social media in early April for help.
She started a fundraising page on GoFundMe, which has gained statewide recognition. Her GoFundMe page has raised $14,413 for her tuition as of print.
Fernandez’s situation caught the attention of State Rep. Sue Errington, compelling her to donate to the GoFundMe page.
Errington said changes must be made legislatively for Fernandez and students like her in Indiana.
“It’s not their fault,” she said. “We’re saying to them [that] we don’t recognize them as someone who deserves the same opportunities as any other Hoosier student.”
Currently, Fernandez is a senior at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. There, she is the senior class president, a member of the debate team, an anchor for the school’s TV program and participates in a host of other after-school activities while maintaining her position in the top 30 of her graduating class.
At Ben Davis, Fernandez is seen as a role model for her classmates, said Sandra Squire, the high school’s principal.
“She’s my go-to person,” Squire said. “She’s one of the students I go to when I need a face for Ben Davis.”
LEGISLATION
Fernandez said Ball State tried to work around the state and federal restrictions, but could not.
Indiana passed House Bill 1402 in 2011, a bill that prohibited resident tuition for anyone who is not living in the country legally. When the bill was passed, about 60 opponents protested outside of the Statehouse to ask former Gov. Mitch Daniels to veto it, according to the Indianapolis Star. Five people were arrested when they refused to leave the hallway outside of Daniels’ office until he spoke to them.
Federal restrictions prevent Fernandez and her parents from applying for financial aid. In August 2012, the federal government passed legislation that would grant temporary citizenship to children that immigrated without legal permission. Fernandez participated in the Deferred Action program, but it does not affect college tuition or federal aid. She has a temporary license and social security and legally works in the U.S.
She’s far from the only student who is living in the nation without legal permission. Of the 3 million high school graduates each year, about 65,000 immigrated to the U.S. illegally, according to the DREAM Act, the bill that would create a path to citizenship for immigrants without legal permission already in the United States.
Errington said Fernandez is the type of student that Indiana should encourage to continue education and work in the state.
“She would be an asset to Ball State,” she said. “She thinks outside the box. She’s determined to go to Ball State, and she’s going to figure out a way to pay.”
Errington said legislation was created in 2013 to provide a way for students in Fernandez’s situation in-state tuition. The legislation provided protections for students who were forced to drop out after the passage of 2011’s bill.
However, the amendment to protect students like Fernandez was defeated.
“We had heard testimony from students who had to drop out,” Errington said. “These were students who were top students, who were begging to be able to go back to school.”
Despite the legislative obstacles, this challenge has highlighted Fernandez’s tenacity, said Dennis Goins, adviser of the school’s TV program, BDTV.
“[Fernandez] is highly motivated and is very determined to succeed at [Ball State],” Goins said. “But I think the most important trait that she possesses is her persistent attitude. She won’t take ‘no’ as an answer and she will not give up. ... I believe this has made Karla a better person.”
CROWDFUNDING
Fernandez said many of her teachers at Ben Davis have been her cheerleaders, helping to share her story and her GoFundMe page to raise money. Many of her past and current teachers have donated to her cause.
“I haven’t really seen any negative response,” Fernandez said. “All I have received was positive response.”
Those who support Fernandez overshadow the few people who have commented negatively on her page. On GoFundMe, 149 people have raised more than $14,000. This brings Fernandez more than halfway to her page’s goal of $25,000.
Fernandez said she looks forward to attending Ball State as a telecommunications and international business administrations double major and is optimistic about getting to college. But she said her fight doesn’t stop once she has enough to pay for her costs.
“There have been situations that if people speak up, their family can be sent back to their country [of origin],” she said. “I want a permanent change for not just one person, but for everyone. ...
“It’s not equal for this to happen. It’s not about fairness; it’s about equality. If they’re going to double or triple the amount of money for someone who has been here for 15 years, that’s not equal.”
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