Last year, New Jersey passed the Dream Act to provide in-state tuition to undocumented students. Although cheaper than out-of-state tuition, the state's largest public university, Rutgers, charges $10,000 each year for in-state tuition, which undocumented students must pay out-of-pocket without the help of federal financial aid. 

Dreamer Giancarlo Tello, a leader in the fight to pass the New Jersey Dream Act, aimed to complete his political science degree at Rutgers University and had already earned an associate’s degree at Bergen Community College. But Tello told Fox News Latino that he had to work odd jobs to pay for every $2,700 class he took, slowing down his progress towards earning a Bachelor’s degree.

Recognizing the student’s hard work and drive to make a difference, the university awarded Tello a $22,000 scholarship to attend full-time and graduate in two years. 

Tello told Fox News Latino that he migrated from Peru with his parents 18 years ago and has lived in the U.S. since he was 6 years old. He aims to continue fighting for everyone's right to equal education.