The Governor signed the NYS DREAM Act into law and it has gone into effect. It lifts some of the financial barriers to higher education, helping more undocumented students attend and complete college.
But, this legislation has nothing to do with granting citizenship. Only the federal government can change federal laws or federal rules, including those about immigration status.
The NYS DREAM Act does not impact federal programs like Pell grants and FAFSA. Only the federal government can make such changes. Under the NYS DREAM Act, more students are eligible for the NYS Tuition Assistance Program, including undocumented students.
