Updated

Delaware State University is joining with a national scholarship program to increase college opportunities for immigrant students living in the United States illegally.

Gov. Jack Markell joined DSU officials and former Washington Post chairman and CEO Donald Graham on Tuesday to announce the historically black school's partnership with TheDream.US, a program co-founded by Graham.

TheDream.US is also partnering with Eastern Connecticut University to offer scholarships for students who face barriers to higher education in 16 states. In some instances, those students are barred from enrolling in state colleges and universities; in others, they are forced to pay out-of-state tuition, making college unaffordable.

Under the new program, TheDream.US will offer 500 scholarships of up to $20,000 per year for immigrant students "locked out" of higher education in their home states.