Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced he helped the Assembly pass the New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (A.4311). The legislation would allow children of immigrants to apply for state scholarships and the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to help with the cost of higher education, as well as establish a private scholarship fund (the DREAM Fund).

“Every student should have access to an affordable higher education, regardless of his or her immigration status,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “Education creates invaluable opportunities, and the DREAM Act extends these opportunities to motivated immigrant students.”

New York State has been at the forefront of giving students a fair shot at attending college. Since 2002, all students who graduate from a high school in New York State – including undocumented immigrants – are eligible for in-state tuition at SUNY and CUNY colleges and universities. The DREAM Act would further assist these youth by increasing access to state educational assistance programs, including the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP); Educational Opportunity Program (EOP); Collegiate Science and Technology Program (C-STEP); and opportunity programs available at community colleges.

To be eligible for state tuition assistance and educational opportunity programs, undocumented immigrant students must satisfy certain requirements, including attending high school in New York State for at least two years and having graduated or received a high school equivalency diploma in-state.

“Students who have worked hard to meet admission standards should not be at a disadvantage because of where they came from,” said Thiele. “Diversity is a big part of what makes New York so great – nearly all of us are the children or descendants of immigrants. This legislation would allow hardworking students a chance to grow and begin their path to a bright future.”

The DREAM Act also creates the DREAM Fund, an initiative to raise private funds for scholarships that would assist college-bound students with at least one immigrant parent. The legislation would also expand access to the New York State College Tuition Savings (529) Program, making family tuition accounts available to anyone who provides a valid taxpayer identification number. This would help many families save for their children’s education over time.

Passage of the DREAM Act into law would make New York one of six states – including California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas and Washington – to offer state financial aid to undocumented students and children of undocumented immigrants. At least 18 states allow immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at state universities and college.

“It’s time to give all students and children a chance to learn and succeed. It looks like 2015 will finally be the year that we make the DREAM Act a reality. I’m calling on our colleagues in the Senate to join the Assembly in passing this much-needed legislation and helping every student in New York have a chance at higher education,” Thiele concluded.