The California Supreme Court affirmed today a state law that allows undocumented students to attend state universities and be charged “in-state” tuition.

Here’s an excerpt from the Los Angeles Times:

The California Supreme Court decided unanimously Monday that illegal immigrants may continue to be eligible for in-state tuition rates at the state’s colleges and universities rather than pay the higher rates charged to those who live out of state.

In a ruling written by Justice Ming W. Chin, one of the panel’s more conservative members, the state high court said a California law that guarantees the lower tuition for students who attend California high schools for at least three years and graduate does not conflict with a federal prohibition on giving illegal immigrants educational benefits based on residency.

Of course, with the annual large increases in tuition, getting this ruling is only half the battle for students.