JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – A Republican lawmaker is trying to stop the Missouri Department of Higher Education from extending eligibility for a scholarship program to qualifying high school graduates who are in the country illegally.

State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick of Shell Knob this week filed a bill to block a proposed expansion of the A+ scholarship to those immigrants.

Students who participate in community service and meet other requirements can apply for two free years at a community college through A+.

The Department of Higher Education is in the process of adopting a rule to expand the program to some immigrants.

Those spared deportation through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program would be able to apply.