The Senator Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act
The DREAM Act opens the doors of higher education to thousands of students, providing access to the new Excelsior Scholarship, the Tuition Assistance Program, as well as other state‐administered scholarships that were not previously available to them.
Step 1: Determining 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 five 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 ten 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 five 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 ten 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.
Note: A student seeking New York State financial aid, including TAP, for the first time, must pass a federally approved ATB test identified by the Board of Regents if the student does not possess a U.S. high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
Step 2: Completing the Application
Students meeting the NYS Dream Act eligibility criteria can apply for one or more HESC-administered grant and scholarship programs here 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.
Step 3: Monitoring the Status of Your Application
Once you have submitted an application, it is your responsibility to monitor the status of your application and to make sure your application is complete. You will be able to monitor the status of your application online after submitting your application and uploading any required documentation.
Step 4: Award Notification and Acceptance
You will be notified by email when a determination has been made regarding your eligibility for each award for which you have applied. If you are determined to be eligible for an award, your next step will be to accept the award!
For certain awards, you must sign a contract agreeing to live and/or work in New York State for a required number of years after graduation as a condition of receiving the award. If you decide not to accept an award with a post-graduation requirement, please indicate this on the contract.
Start Your Application
By clicking Apply Now, you will be directed to the DREAM Act application, powered by International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS).
Term Definitions
Temporary Protected Status (TPS): allows foreign nationals to remain in the U.S. if during the time they were in the U.S. something catastrophic happened in their country of origin preventing their safe return – for example war, famine, natural disaster, or epidemic. TPS allows people to work legally and be protected from deportation.
T-Visa: allows the granting of lawful status to noncitizen victims of human trafficking, as well as their immediate family members, who assist in the prosecution of the trafficking. It allows people to remain and work temporarily in the U.S.
U-Visa: allows for the granting of lawful status to noncitizen crime victims who suffered significant physical or mental abuse (and their immediate family members) who assist in the prosecution of the crime. It allows people to remain and work temporarily in the U.S.
Without Lawful Immigration Status: living in the U.S. unlawfully either because lawful status never existed (including those with DACA status) or has ended.
Tax Implications
Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
Step-by-Step User Guide to Completing the NYS DREAM Act Application
Frequently Asked Questions
View commonly asked questions pertaining to the NYS DREAM Act.
Questions
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 888-697-4372 with questions about the NYS DREAM Act.