Arianna Salgado is taking American government, English and other classes in her first semester at Dominican University in Chicago’s western suburbs.

Like many students entering college these days she has to figure out how to pay for tuition. At Dominican in River Forest, Ill., tuition is around $26,000 per year, not including room and board.

But Salgado doesn’t qualify for federal or state financial aid because she is undocumented.

She attends a private college that offers private and merit-based scholarships to some undocumented students. And more private scholarships are expected to become available to undocumented students statewide under the new Illinois DREAM Act signed by Gov. Pat Quinn on Aug. 1.

“Without a private scholarship I wouldn’t be able to pay for college,” said Salgado, 19, who speaks openly about her immigration status.

Salgado is fortunate that private universities like Dominican make a conscious effort to help undocumented students. Merit and private scholarships will cover two-thirds of her tuition.

Dominican University President Donna Carroll said it is part of her school’s Catholic mission to help undocumented students like Salgado.

“Their courage is so admirable,” she said. “How can we as an institution not be as courageous as they are?”

The Illinois law creates a DREAM commission that will manage the private scholarships. It allows parents to buy into statewide college savings plans and also requires high school counselors receive training to assist undocumented students.

Illinois is one of 12 states with laws to help undocumented students pay for college, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2001, Texas was the first state to pass a law allowing in-state tuition for undocumented students. Presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry has recently faced harsh criticism from Republicans for support of that ...