Undocumented students from across southwestern Connecticut rallied at the state capitol Wednesday, calling for access to the same financial aid that other students receive.

The students told state lawmakers emotional stories of their struggles to pay for college.

Angelica Idrovo, 19, of Danbury, says she works a full- and part-time job just to make ends meet, including paying her tuition.

Eric Cruz Lopez, a fourth-semester student at UConn, actually pays into the financial system he's not allowed to use, as 15 percent of his tuition goes toward it.

The tuition-assistance plan did pass the state Senate last year, but didn't get called up into the House. Now that lawmakers don't have a state budget with which they must contend, supporters say they hope the measure has a much better chance at passing.