Puerto Rican Students: International Or Domestic?

Puerto Rico is an archipelago of four islands in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States, with its inhabitants being granted US citizenship in 1917. Despite this, Puerto Rican students face significant challenges in pursuing higher education in the United States, particularly due to the admissions process. The College Board, which administers the SAT, has been criticized for using Puerto Rico as a gateway to the Latin American market, resulting in a separate admissions system that segregates Puerto Rican students from those in the rest of the country. This has made it difficult for Puerto Rican students to attend mainland universities, as they are often considered international students, despite their US citizenship.

Puerto Rico is a US territory, so its citizens aren't international students

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, which was ceded to the US in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War. While the inhabitants of the island are US citizens, they cannot vote in US elections and do not have representation in Congress, which holds legislative power over the territory.

Due to this unique status, the average Puerto Rican student faces several challenges when applying to universities on the US mainland. Firstly, most schools in Puerto Rico do not encourage students to take the SAT or ACT exams, which are the primary criteria used by elite universities in the US to target and recruit top students. Instead, students in Puerto Rico take the Puerto Rico-specific Prueba de Aptitud Académica (PAA), also known as "el College Board". This test was originally introduced by the College Board in 1964 as a Spanish-language edition of the SAT, with Puerto Rico serving as a pilot for the College Board's expansion into Latin America. However, very few mainland universities accept the PAA for admission, except from international students, which Puerto Ricans are not classified as. This creates a barrier for Puerto Rican students wishing to pursue higher education in the US, as they are often overlooked by elite universities during the recruitment process due to the lack of standardised test scores.

Compounding this issue is the fact that the Puerto Rican government does not produce up-to-date statistics on education, and federal counts often do not include the territory. As a result, it is difficult for universities on the mainland to accurately assess and recruit students from Puerto Rico. Furthermore, the guidance counsellors in Puerto Rico often lack experience with the traditional US college admissions process, making it challenging for students to navigate the application and financial aid landscape.

Despite these obstacles, some universities on the US mainland, such as the University of Michigan and Penn State University, have actively targeted Puerto Rico in their recruitment efforts. These universities recognise the value of the cultural diversity that Puerto Rican students can bring to their campuses. Additionally, Puerto Rican students, as US citizens, are eligible for financial aid and scholarships, which can make the cost of tuition more affordable compared to international students.

In conclusion, while Puerto Rico is a US territory and its citizens are not considered international students, the unique educational context of the island creates a situation where Puerto Rican students face challenges when seeking higher education opportunities on the US mainland. These challenges are further exacerbated by the lack of up-to-date statistical data and the limited guidance available to students wishing to study outside of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships, unlike international students

Puerto Rico is a US territory, and its citizens are granted US citizenship. This means that, unlike international students, Puerto Rican students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships.

There are two types of Puerto Rican college scholarships. The first type focuses on Puerto Rico residents, with residency requirements similar to in-state tuition. The second type is for students of Puerto Rican descent, which can be used at colleges in Puerto Rico or in various states.

Puerto Rican students can fill out the FAFSA to request federal student aid. They can also apply for Pell Grants, which can make the cost of college more manageable. Additionally, some colleges in Puerto Rico, such as the University of Puerto Rico, maintain lists of school-specific scholarships. Other schools, like the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, offer specialized scholarships for specific majors.

There are also scholarships specifically for students of Puerto Rican descent, such as the Scholarship Application for Students of Puerto Rican Descent, which is sponsored by Ford and the Hispanic Fund. The HPRSD Scholarship serves Puerto Rican residents of San Diego County in California, while the NPRDP Scholarship is for high school or college students of Puerto Rican descent between the ages of 17 and 25. The PRCC Scholarship is for graduating Puerto Rican high school students with a documented disability.

Furthermore, some scholarships cater to individual college majors or career paths, while others specifically serve students from Hispanic and Latino/a backgrounds. For example, the Equitable Excellence Scholarship serves graduating high school students who plan to attend a two- or four-year college in the United States.

Puerto Rican students can also work to support themselves while studying, as US citizens can work in Puerto Rico without any issues. The minimum wage in Puerto Rico is $9.50 per hour, and for tipped employees, it is $2.13 per hour.

The College Board's actions segregated Puerto Rican higher education from the rest of the US

Puerto Rico is an archipelago of four islands in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States, with its inhabitants being U.S. citizens. Despite this, Puerto Rican students are classified as out-of-state students, and not international students, and are eligible for financial aid and scholarships.

In 1964, the College Board, which administers the SAT, decided to expand its market to Latin America with a Spanish-language edition of the predominant college entrance exam. This test, originally named the Prueba de Aptitud Académica, and now called the PAA, or "el College Board" by Puerto Ricans, is given to every 11th and 12th grader in Puerto Rico. However, almost no mainland universities accept it for admission, except from international students. This creates a significant hurdle for Puerto Rican students who wish to pursue higher education in the rest of the United States.

The College Board's actions have had the effect of segregating Puerto Rican higher education from the rest of the United States. By creating a separate college admissions system, the College Board has made it less likely that Puerto Rican high schoolers will pursue undergraduate education off the island. This is because the PAA is not accepted by most mainland colleges and universities, requiring Puerto Rican students to take the SAT or ACT if they wish to apply to these schools. This is despite the fact that the PAA is the national college admissions entrance examination in Puerto Rico, with almost all high school graduates taking the exam.

The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that most schools in Puerto Rico do not encourage students to take the SAT or ACT, instead opting to use the PAA. This means that Puerto Rican students who wish to apply to mainland schools must navigate a more complicated admissions process, requiring them to take additional exams that may not be easily accessible or well-known. This puts Puerto Rican students at a disadvantage compared to their peers in the rest of the United States, who do not face the same barriers to accessing educational opportunities.

The College Board's actions have contributed to the already existing challenges facing Puerto Rican students. The odds are already against high school graduates in Puerto Rico who want to go to college, with a lower proportion of students continuing their education compared to the rest of the United States. Additionally, of those who do enroll at universities on the island, fewer than half earn degrees, even after six years. The College Board's segregation of Puerto Rican higher education from the rest of the country only serves to further alienate Puerto Rican students and make it more difficult for them to access the same opportunities as their fellow U.S. citizens.

Puerto Rico's schools discourage students from taking the SAT or ACT, which impacts recruitment to mainland universities

Puerto Rico is an archipelago comprising four islands in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. San Juan is the capital of the main island of Puerto Rico, which is located between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands. The islands became a territory of the United States in 1898 following the Spanish-American War.

While Puerto Rico is a part of the USA, it is not a state. The inhabitants elect their own governor but are not represented in the U.S. Congress, which holds sway over the territory. The 3.7 million Puerto Rican people cannot vote in U.S. elections.

Despite being U.S. citizens, Puerto Rican students are at a disadvantage when it comes to applying to mainland U.S. colleges and universities. This is due to a 1964 decision by the College Board to create a Spanish-language version of the SAT for Latin America. The exam, now known as the Prueba de Aptitud Académica (PAA) or "el College Board", is taken by almost all Puerto Rican 11th and 12th graders. However, few mainland universities accept the PAA for admission, except from international students. As citizens of a U.S. territory, Puerto Ricans are not considered international students.

The result is that very few Puerto Rican students take the SAT or ACT, which are used by mainland universities to recruit high-scoring students from rural or poor communities. In 2017, around 3,000 Puerto Rican students took the SAT, compared to about 43% of graduating seniors in the U.S. This means that mainland universities often overlook Puerto Rican students, even though they are eligible for financial aid and scholarships that international students are not.

The situation is made worse by the fact that many high school counselors in Puerto Rico have little knowledge of mainland admission requirements. The poverty rate is also very high, meaning that few families can afford to send their children to college on the mainland. These factors contribute to a low rate of college attendance among Puerto Rican high school graduates, with only 694 students going to college in 2016 and only 3% leaving the island to study.

A low number of high school graduates in Puerto Rico leave the island to attend college

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, and its inhabitants are U.S. citizens. Therefore, Puerto Rican students are not considered international students when studying in the U.S. mainland. However, they are classified as out-of-state students and are eligible for financial aid and scholarships.

Despite this, a low number of high school graduates in Puerto Rico leave the island to attend college. This can be attributed to various factors, including the high cost of studying in the U.S. mainland, the lack of information about mainland admission requirements, and the limited support from high school counselors.

The median household income in Puerto Rico is $19,775, which is less than the in-state tuition, fees, room, and board for a public four-year university on the mainland. As a result, only the wealthiest Puerto Rican families can afford to send their children to colleges in the U.S. mainland. Additionally, most public high school counselors in Puerto Rico have little knowledge of mainland admission requirements, and the focus is mostly on social and emotional issues rather than academic guidance. This lack of support and information makes it challenging for Puerto Rican students to navigate the college application process and access opportunities outside of the island.

Furthermore, the high school graduation rate in Puerto Rico is lower than in the rest of the United States, with a third of students quitting before graduating. This means that a smaller proportion of students are even eligible to apply for college, regardless of location.

Another factor contributing to the low number of Puerto Rican students leaving the island for college is the availability of accredited and affordable higher education options within Puerto Rico itself. Universities like the University of Puerto Rico and UPR Mayaguez offer recognized degrees at a significantly lower cost than mainland universities. For example, the University of Puerto Rico Law School charges approximately $1,000 per semester, making it possible for students to graduate with zero debt.

Additionally, the University of Puerto Rico and its various campuses offer students the opportunity to study in Spanish, which may be more accessible for those who are not fluent in English. While English is taught in Puerto Rican schools, 80% of students speak English less than very well, according to the Census Bureau. Therefore, the option to study in Spanish can be a significant advantage for many Puerto Rican students.

In summary, the low number of high school graduates leaving Puerto Rico to attend college is influenced by a combination of economic, educational, and linguistic factors, as well as the availability of affordable and accredited higher education options within the island itself.

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