The DREAM Act

The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State–administered grants and scholarships that support their higher education costs.

The DREAM Act opens the doors of higher education to thousands of students, providing access to the Excelsior Scholarship, Tuition Assistance Program, and other state‐administered scholarships that were not previously available to them.

Determine Your Eligibility

If you fit one of the descriptions below, you may be eligible for one or more New York State student financial aid awards under the DREAM Act.

Your permanent home is in New York State 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 New York State high school for two or more years, graduated from a New York State high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a New York State college within five years of receiving your New York State high school diploma, or
  • You attended a New York State high school for two or more years, graduated from a New York State high school, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a New York State college within 10 years of receiving your New York State high school diploma, or
  • You received a New York State high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a New York State college within five years of receiving your New York State high school equivalency diploma, or
  • You received a New York State high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a New York State college within 10 years of receiving your New York State high school equivalency diploma, or
  • You did not attend or graduate from a New York State high school, did not receive a New York State high school equivalency diploma, but are charged the New York State resident in-state tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for any reason

  Your permanent home is outside of New York State 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 United States
  • 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 New York State high school for two or more years, graduated from a New York State high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a New York State college within five years of receiving your New York State high school diploma or
    • You attended a New York State high school for two or more years, graduated from a New York State high school, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a New York State college within 10 years of receiving your New York State high school diploma or
    • You received a New York State high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a New York State college within five years of receiving your New York State high school equivalency diploma or
    • You received a New York State high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a New York State college within 10 years of receiving your New York State high school equivalency diploma or
    • You did not attend or graduate from a New York State high school, did not receive a New York State high school equivalency diploma, but are charged the New York State resident in-state tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for any reason

    Completing the Application

    Students meeting the New York State DREAM Act eligibility criteria can apply for one or more HESC-administered grant and scholarship programs.

    • 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.

    To Apply

    More Information

    • Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act website
    • Commonly Asked Questions Pertaining to the New York State DREAM Act
    • Step-by-Step User Guide to Completing the New York State DREAM Act Application (PDF)