The NYS Dream Act was signed into law on January 2019. The NYSDA will give undocumented students access to state aid. Students will be able to apply for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the Excelsior Scholarship, and enhanced tuition awards. Keep in mind that you have to complete the NYS Dream Act application before gaining access to the TAP, excelsior, and enhanced tuition application. 

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Each program has different eligibility requirements so make sure you click the link to read them! 

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Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): The program provides up to $5,165 in annual tuition support to students attending a New York State college or university. The award amount depends on your household income, number of family members attending college full-time, and number of terms the student receives the award. TAP is a grant, meaning it does NOT have to be paid back. In order for students to continue receiving award payment, they must remain in good academic standing. 

Eligibility requirements click here!

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Excelsior Scholarship: The program is for students from families who earn up to $125,000 a year to attending a State University of New York (SUNY) or City University of New York (CUNY) tuition free. By accepting the award the student receives, the student must complete 30 credits hours towards their program of study each year and agree to live in NYS for the amount of time the student received the award. If the student does to comply to the requirements stated, the award will turn into a no-interest loan.

Eligibility requirements click here!

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Enhanced Tuition Assistance (ETA): The program provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents that attend or are attending a participating private college in New York State.

Eligibility requirements click here!

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Note: If you would like to know about whether an undocumented student is eligible to pay in-state tuition, the New York State Youth Leadership Council has great information about that! Click here to learn more.

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Eligibility to be eligible for one or more NYS student financial aid awards under the DREAM act:

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1. The individual's permanent home is in NYS and has one of the following: ​​​​​​

   • U-Visa ​

   • T-Visa 

   • Temporary protected status (TPS)

   • Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA)

   • AND the individual meets ONE of the following criteria:

     • Attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and is applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving their NYS high school diploma 

     • Attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and is applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving their NYS high school diploma 

     • Received a NYS high school equivalency diploma and is applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving their NYS equivalency diploma 

     • Received a NYS high school equivalency diploma and is applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving their NYS equivalency diploma 

     • The individual is or will be charged the NYS resident in-state tuition at a CUNY or SUNY college for a reason other than residency

2. The individual's permanent home is OUTSIDE of NYS and has one of the following:

   • U.S. citizen ​​

   • Permanent lawful resident 

   • Of a class of refugees paroled by the attorney general under his or her parole authority pertaining to the admissions of  undocumented individuals to the United States

   • U-Visa 

   • T-Visa 

   • Temporary protected status 

   • Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA)

   • AND the individual meets ONE of the following criteria:

     • Attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school​, and is applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving their NYS high school diploma 

     • Attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and is applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving their NYS high school diploma 

     • Received a NYS school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving their NYS equivalency diploma 

     • Received a NYS school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving their NYS equivalency diploma

     • The individual is or will be charged the NYS resident in-state tuition at a CUNY or SUNY college for a reason other than residency 

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APPLY TO THE NEW YORK STATE DREAM ACT HERE!

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This information was gathered from the Senator Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act website.