The cost for a year of tuition at a State University of New York (SUNY) school is currently $5,270 for New York residents.
The cost for non-residents balloons to more than $14,000, with room and board and other fees pushing the yearly cost past $30,000 for out-of-state residents.
But what about illegal immigrants? Those young people without documents are not legally residents, even if they have technically lived in New York for many years.
Should these undocumented students be eligible to pay in-state tuition at SUNY schools?
As it stands, New York is one of 13 states with laws that provide that benefit for undocumented students if certain conditions are met. These students can pay the lower tuition if they graduated from a high school in the state after attending for at least two years or by obtaining a New York Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED).
Pending federal and state legislation (the DREAM Act) could also provide undocumented students with access to scholarships, driver's licenses and the ability to practice a profession.
What's your take? Should in-state tuition benefits be granted to undocumented students? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments.
