Grants for Texas Citizens

I have nothing against people from other countries and believe that the United States is a place for people to come to live out the American Dream. I am proud that the brightest and best from all over the world work hard to be able to come to our country and graduate from one of our prestigious schools. I dont however think that students from other countries should be able to come to our country illegally and be offered grant money to attend our schools. I believe that grant money should be for students that are in Texas legally. By giving grant money to anyone who comes to our country seeking it without having them go through the process of becoming a citizen we are not only taking the grant money from US citizens, but also maybe taking it from our economy. Students from other countries may just use the US grant money, obtain a degree, and move back to their country of origin thus stimulating that countries economy with the benefit of improved education. Educating local Texas students with local Texas taxpayer grants gives taxpayers a return in the investment because the students go on to get jobs in Texas. Not only may illegal residents relocate but they will also face some problems getting a job in if they do decide to stay in Texas. Like an illegal A&M student who graduated with a biomedical science degree who can only obtain employment in a restraunt because employers can't hire him legally. This student although not a legal citizen was given grants because of the Texas Application for State Financial Aid which only requires you prove that you have been living in Texas for atleast 3 years. The amount of scholarship money given to illegal students in 2010 totaled $274.1 million. While I am all for aiding education I believe Texas taxpayers should not be paying for the education of illegal immigrants especially while there are so many legal citizens who need grant money and are denied.