About a dozen immigrant college students from Connecticut who live in the country illegally are planning a trip to the state Capitol to call on lawmakers to vote on two bills opening up institutional financial aid to them.

According to organizers, the students will deliver petitions signed by thousands of people to House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz Tuesday.

Connecticut allows students without legal permission to be in the U.S. to pay in-state tuition, as long as they have spent at least two years at a state high school. But they can't apply for any government money, including institutional financial aid directly funded by student tuition payments.

Opponents have argued allowing the students to access financial aid would mean less money for those in the country legally.