MANCHESTER, NH — The state legislature will vote Tuesday on NH HB 525 a bill “prohibiting the distribution of higher education and adult education financial assistance to any student who is not a legal resident.” The term “legal resident” is not defined in state or federal law. The bill does not specify what agency or school would screen students’ status.
The impact of the bill is unknown. The Department of Education provides programs for approximately 7,000 adults, but does not collect any information pertaining to the legal status of those served.
With its large immigrant population, Manchester has numerous adults studying English and life skills in several different programs as part of their path to citizenship.