If you are not a US Citizen or permanent resident but are attending college, you may still be eligible for financial aid through the José Peralta New York State Dream Act!

What is the José Peralta New York State Dream Act?

The Senator Jose Peralta NYS DREAM Act (DREAM Act) allows undocumented and other eligible students to apply for New York State financial aid. The NYS DREAM Act application is used to determine student eligibility under the provisions of the NYS DREAM Act. Students who meet the NYS DREAM Act’s eligibility requirements for high school attendance, high school completion, in-state SUNY or CUNY tuition, and citizenship or immigration status will be able to apply for one or more NYS student financial aid programs. Students who qualify under the NYS DREAM Act can separately apply for NYS student financial aid programs. This user guide provides step-by-step instructions on completing the application used to determine whether you qualify to apply for NYS student financial aid under the provisions of the NYS DREAM Act.

The application and supporting materials are available at www.hesc.ny.gov/dream.

Step-by-Step User Guide to completing the New York State DREAM Act Application

Determine Your Eligibility

If you fit one of the descriptions below, you may be eligible for one or more NYS student financial aid awards under the DREAM Act:

  • Your permanent home is in NYS and you are or have ONE of the following:
    • U-Visa
    • T-Visa
    • Temporary protected status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990
    • Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status)
    • AND you meet ONE of the following criteria:
      • You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and enroll or enrolled for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      • You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and enroll or enrolled for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      • You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and enroll or enrolled for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR
      • You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and enroll or enrolled for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR
      • You are or will be charged the NYS resident in-state tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for a reason other than residency.
  • Your permanent home is outside of NYS and you are or have 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 admission of aliens to the U.S.
    • U-Visa
    • T-Visa
    • Temporary protected status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990
    • Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status)
    • AND you meet ONE of the following criteria:
      • You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and enroll or enrolled for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      • You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and enroll or enrolled for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      • You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and enroll or enrolled for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR
      • You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and enroll or enrolled for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR
      • You are or will be charged the NYS resident in-state tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for a reason other than residency.

When to Apply

The application for the NYS DREAM Act is open now. We encourage eligible students to apply as soon as possible.

TAP accepts applications on a rolling basis. Certain scholarships and grants may have additional deadlines.

How to Apply

Once you determine your eligibility, can apply for one or more HESC-administered grant and scholarship programs with the online application and be directed to the NYS DREAM Act application powered by International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS).

The application is simple and straight forward, and all information provided will be used ONLY for determining eligibility for and administering awards.

Applicants without lawful immigration status will not be asked for their home address and will NOT have to upload financial records.

For additional questions regarding the DREAM Act contact the financial aid office.

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