About 71,000 students in Utah schools are ethnic minorities.

Many of them are undocumented-- here illegally with their parents.

They came here in search of a better life. But one woman found out that can be tough without a college education.

Education Specialist Sandra Yi has her story.

Silvia Salguero's dream is to go to college.

When she applied to the U. and got in, Silvia received a harsh lesson in how difficult it was for undocumented students to afford it.

Little did she know her struggles would help change her life and the lives of all immigrants in Utah.

This is how Silvia Sanguero often spends the day-- cleaning the modest home she shares with her mother and six brothers and sisters.

Right now, this is life for Silvia.

But ask and she'll tell you, it wasn't supposed to be this way.

Silvia Salguero: "I DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY HOPES OF BEING SOMEBODY OR TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT I WANT TO BECOME, BECAUSE EVERYTIME I THINK OF THAT, MY HOPES GO DOWN."

In 1995, Silvia and her family came to Utah from Mexico without legal documents. Like many immigrants, they came in search of a better life.

Silvia's dad told her in America anything was possible if she wanted it. And Silvia did.

Silvia Salguero: "I CAN BE SOMEBODY. I CAN BE SOMEBODY."

Three years ago, Silvia graduated from Park City High School with a 3.2 GPA.

She applied to the University of Utah and got in. When Silvia went to pay her fees, she found out because she had no proof of residency, she would have to pay out of state tuition, which is three times as much as the cost in-state residents have to pay.

Even with scholarship money, it was more than what she could afford.

Silvia eventually took a job cleaning houses in Park City.

Gerry Maak/Park City H.S. Teacher: "IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE WHY THE FEDERAL LAW SUPPORTS THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN TURNS THEM LOOSE, AND THERE'S NO OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM BEYOND THAT, AND IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM FAIR."

Gerry Maak was Silvia's Spanish teacher at Park City High School.

Together they spearheaded an effort to change the law so undocumented immigrants could pay resident tuition at Utah's colleges and universities.

Silvia's story received sympathy on Capitol Hill.

Rep. David Ure/R-Kamas: "IF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO RAISE TO THE OCCASSION BY HARD WORK AND SWEAT, THEN I THINK SOCIETY OUGHT TO TRY AND PROVIDE THESE PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES, AS WE ARE ALL UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER IN OUR ANCESTRAL TREE."

On April 26, Governor Mike Leavitt signed the bill, which passed with strong political support.

It opened the door of opportunity for students like Javier Leon, a junior at Park City High School.

Leon's family moved to Utah from Mexico.

He says he didn't realize how important education was until he came to the United States.

Javier Leon/Student: "I STARTED NOTICING ALL MY PARENTS' STRUGGLES, SO THAT'S WHAT ORIGINALLY GAVE ME THE HOPE TO KEEP GOING UP, KEEP STUDYING."

Javier also knows of Silvia's struggles.

Thanks to her, he says, he will be the first in his family to get a college education.

As for Silvia, her dream of a better life is on hold.

She still dreams of a college education, but even without it she helped accomplish something of great significance, something that will allow others to share her dream.

Silvia Salguero: "I WAS CRYING BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT. IT'S LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE."

The new legislation goes into effect July first.

It is contingent, however, on a similar federal bill sponsored by Representative Chris Cannon and Senator Orrin Hatch.

That federal bill is expected to pass this year.

In the meantime, Silvia is trying to get scholarship money to go to the U. this fall.