What does it take for Arizona students to be eligible for in-state college tuition? One Arizona lawmaker hopes to make it as simple as having a diploma from an Arizona high school.

Currently, students who are not official residents of Arizona who graduate from high schools in the state do not qualify for resident tuition. But Sen. Heather Carter is looking to change that.

In a new bill, she said she wants to ensure all Arizona high school grads automatically become eligible for in-state tuition.

“The goal of this bill is to attract and retain Arizona graduates back to Arizona, to continue their Arizona education in our community colleges and university system,” Carter said.

Carter said her bill would also qualify those who want to get back to school after returning to the state.

“This will allow people who move away from Arizona to come back to Arizona to continue their education,” Carter said.

Carter, who chairs the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee, said she expects the bill to be heard early this week.

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