Assemblywoman Inez Barron DREAM Act Would Expand College Aid Opportunities for Immigrant Students

February 6, 2013

So many immigrants came to America with hopes of building a better, more promising future for themselves and their families. It’s important to help break down the unnecessary barriers that their children face in getting an affordable, quality college education. To that end, I am working to help pass the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (A.2597).

In addition to creating a private scholarship fund (the DREAM Fund), this comprehensive legislation would, for the first time ever, allow immigrant students to apply for several state tuition-assistance programs to help them pay for their higher education.

By increasing financial aid opportunities for immigrant students, the DREAM Act takes monumental steps forward in making sure all students in New York State can obtain a higher education. The Assembly has a long legacy of championing equal educational opportunities. As the immigration debate comes to the forefront of the national spotlight, New York must once again take the lead on this important national issue – much like we did with the groundbreaking NY SAFE Act to combat gun violence.

Since 2002, undocumented immigrants have been allowed to pay in-state tuition at state universities in New York. The DREAM Act goes a step further by increasing access for undocumented youth to a broad range of state educational assistance programs, including:

• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP);
• Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP);
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP);
• Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP); and
• Opportunity programs available at community colleges.

The passage of the DREAM Act would make New York one of four states – including Texas, New Mexico and California – to offer state financial aid to children of undocumented immigrants.

New York State – with its long, proud history as a progressive leader – should help lead the way. Immigration status should never be a barrier that keeps young, motivated students from obtaining a higher education.

The bill requires undocumented immigrant students to satisfy certain conditions to be eligible for state tuition-assistance and educational opportunity programs, including having attended high school in New York State for at least two years and having graduated or received an equivalency certificate in-state.

In addition to increasing access to state aid, the DREAM Act sets up the DREAM Fund, an initiative that would raise private funds to provide scholarships for eligible college-bound children with at least one immigrant parent. The DREAM Act would also expand access to the New York State College Tuition Savings (529) Program through family tuition accounts. The family tuition accounts would be available to anyone who provides a valid taxpayer identification number and would significantly help families save for their children’s future over an extended period of time.

Not only does the DREAM Act ease the skyrocketing costs of higher education, it also gives every immigrant child in our state the opportunity to have a bright and successful future. Our state has always been a champion of equal access to higher education. I urge the Senate and governor to make these students’ dreams a reality.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the DREAM Act or any other important community issue, don’t hesitate to contact my office at 518-455-5912 or via email at BarronI@assembly.state.ny.us.

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