Puerto Rican students who fled the island after this year's disastrous hurricane season will now be eligible for in-state tuition rates at Massachusetts state colleges and universities.
The board of higher education voted unanimously to let Puerto Ricans who fled the aftermath of the hurricanes pay in-state rates at state universities, community colleges and the UMass system. Students will have to offer documentation of their displacement and meet the transfer requirements for the public schools' spring semester.
The news came as Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló met with Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to discuss the influx of Puerto Ricans coming to Massachusetts and how the state's institutions can help rebuild the island.
"Education is the No. 1 concern of parents who are leaving Puerto Rico. So allowing that fair treatment, showing that empathy to the students who are moving here and the families is of tremendous help to our people," Rosselló said.
Rosselló said there will be a time when his territory calls back upon those who have left, but called the tuition offer a great blessing.
During a press conference with Baker and Walsh, Rosselló said Puerto Ricans are asking for equal treatment as American citizens to the federal disaster relief efforts that have aided Texas, Florida and other states after similar storms.
"If we get that, I am sure we will be on a path to rebuild a stronger, more resilient Puerto Rico. And I know that is important to the constituents to the governor and the mayor because there are a lot of our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters over here," Rosselló said.
The governors and mayor also discussed ways to help the influx of Puerto Ricans who fled to the Boston area since the hurricane.
