Nebraska has agreed to permanently end in-state tuition benefits for undocumented immigrants under a proposed consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, according to state officials.

The agreement resolves a legal dispute between the federal government and the state over the tuition policy. Under the proposed consent decree, Nebraska will no longer offer reduced tuition rates typically reserved for state residents to students who are in the country without legal documentation.

The change affects undocumented students who had previously been eligible for the lower tuition rates at Nebraska's public colleges and universities. In-state tuition is typically significantly less expensive than out-of-state rates, making higher education more accessible for eligible students.

The Department of Justice had challenged the state's policy as part of broader federal enforcement efforts regarding immigration-related benefits and services. The consent decree must still receive final court approval to take effect.

Nebraska joins other states that have faced federal scrutiny over policies extending certain benefits to undocumented immigrants. The agreement represents a shift in the state's approach to immigration-related education policy.