HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Immigrant students without legal status in the United States are again urging Connecticut lawmakers to make them eligible for institutional financial assistance at state-run colleges and universities.

It marks the fourth year lawmakers will consider legislation making immigrant students eligible for different forms of financial aid funded by tuition payments from all students. Democratic New London Rep. Chris Soto says it's ``unfair and egregious'' that immigrant students can't apply for the funds.

23-year-old Julie Lee of Danbury recently graduated from SUNY Purchase College in New York. Lee learned she did not have legal status when she was a senior in high school, making her ineligible for financial assistance.

She says the tuition assistance would help her parents, who are now struggling financially to pay her sister's tuition.