The Senator José Peralta NYS 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. Students who meet the NYS DREAM Act's eligibility requirements will be able to apply for one or more NYS student financial aid programs. The DREAM Act Application is available here.

The New York State DREAM Act Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are required to meet one of the descriptions below to be eligible to apply for one of more NYS student financial aid programs:

  • U-Visa
  • T-Visa
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS), 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.
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Permanent lawful resident
  • Paroled refugee
  • U-Visa
  • T-Visa
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS), 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.

All supporting documention is required to be uploaded directly onto the NYS Higher Education Services Corportation application (HESC). Supporting documentation may consist of the following:

  • A signature page
  • Transcripts and diplomas
  • Income verification
  • Visa and TPS documentation

Financial documentation is not required of undocumented students. However, for all other students, they may require taxes and proof of receipt of public assistance.

 

Students are encouraged to frequently check the status of their application online and to read any notifications sent from HESC or the institution. Once your status has been determined, students will be sent a notification from HESC and the institution will be notified by HESC directly. If you have any additional questions regarding the DREAM Act, you may contact the following phone number or email address:

  • 1-888-697-4372
  • NYSDREAM@applyISTS.com

The differences between the requirements for TAP and the DREAM Act are listed below:

AP Applicants are Required To.. Under NYS DREAM Act, Eligible Applicants are Required To..
Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen Be an undocumented student and listed under one of the listed immigration statuses
Be a NYS Resident Be a NYS or non-NYS Resident
Study at an approved postsecondary institution in NYS Study at an approved postsecondary institution in NYS
Be in good academic standing Be in good academic standing
Be enrolled as full-time Be enrolled as full-time
Meet income eligibility limitations Meet income eligibility limitations
Be enrolled in credit-bearing courses applicable to the student’s program of study Be enrolled in credit-bearing courses applicable to the student’s program of study