MIAMI, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a Senate Committee killed a bill that would grant in-state tuition for U.S. citizens, thousands of youth are placing their hopes in two bills (HB 81 and SB 106) that are currently waiting at the Legislature to be heard and, if approved, would allow access to affordable education to ALL students in Florida. This Valentine's Day, students from St. Thomas University are asking Florida legislators "not to break their hearts and their dreams" by supporting in-state tuition for Florida's future. More than 190,000 undocumented youngsters reside and grew up in Florida, but still only 5% can access higher education because of the out-of-state fees, which are three times higher. 

(Logo: Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100709/STULOGO)

"If I hadn't received a private scholarship, I wouldn't be able to pay for my studies," says Jose Salcedo who studies Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University and is a member of Students Working for Equal Rights (SWER). "We are asking our legislators to support students like me who want to pursue higher education. Our message is: 'Don't break our hearts and the possibilities of a future for Florida's youth.'"

A community and media briefing will be held at Saint Thomas University to reveal those leaders who have not supported in-state tuition for all students in the state of Florida. Following the briefing, there will be a forum with experts from sociology, international relations, and social justice. "This is a moral crisis! Thousands of students will be graduating from high schools this upcoming June but many won't be able to continue because of the high cost of out-of-state tuition. They won't be able to continue their education and won't be able to give back to the community," says Salcedo. "It's crunch time for legislators to do something great for education and students before the session ends on March 10. If they don't take this step another year will go by and another class of high school graduates will not be able to continue their education," says Felipe Matos from "PRESENTE ACTION."

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: COMMUNITY & MEDIA BRIEFING

Who:  Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale, Dr. Beatriz Robinson, Vice President of Planning, Enrollment & Student Affairs; Dean of Students Issac Carter, and SWEAR members - Students Working for Equal Rights

What:  Community and media briefing on in-state tuition. Campaign reaches out to legislators with the message "Don't break my heart Florida legislature" asking them to support in-state tuition for ALL.

When:  Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2012 at 3:00 pm

Where: St. Thomas University, Evelyn & George Goldbloom Convocation Hall - 16401 NW 37th Ave Miami Gardens, Florida

Who:  Monsignor Casale, Vice-President Dr. Robinson, Dean of students Dean Issac Carter, and Students Working for Equal Rights

For information and media inquiries on this particular program kindly contact Jose Salzado, SWER member at jsalcedo@stu.edu; Cell:  786-344-3206. Please visit www.stu.edu for general information on St. Thomas and its academic programs.

SOURCE St. Thomas University

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