Missouri lawmakers OK scholarship ban for some immigrants

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri bill to prevent the state's A+ Scholarship from going to student immigrants living illegally in the U.S. has won initial Senate approval.

Senators approved the legislation in a voice vote Wednesday, hours after similar legislation passed the House.

The Senate measure requires students to be either permanent residents or U.S. citizens to receive the A+ Scholarship, which provides two years of free tuition to community college for qualified students.

The Senate bill is less sweeping than the House measure, which would prevent any state financial aid from going to those student immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. That bill also requires colleges and universities charge those students the international rate of tuition.

The Senate measure needs a second vote before it can move to the House.