Immigrant Defense Initiative

Financial Aid Resources

 

NYU Undocumented Student Financial Aid

  • Beginning with the 2019-2020 admissions cycle, newly-admitted undocumented students who are admitted to NYU will be eligible for the same levels of institutional scholarship aid that is offered to students who are US citizens. In other words, NYU will not draw a distinction between applicants who are US citizens, and those who maintain DACA status – or are otherwise undocumented – while determining institutional scholarship awards.
  • For more information on the application process, go ​here​.
  • Undocumented students must submit: 1) a complete ​CSS Profile​, and 2) the ​Undocumented Student Financial Aid Application

NYU Immigrant Student Assistance

  • NYU has recognized “that for some students in the NYU community, these are uncertain times, and that some may have specific issues or concerns that have arisen as a result of recent government actions in areas such as immigration.”
  • “If you are facing unanticipated challenges related to travel, housing, financial aid, or anything else, please fill out this ​form​ and a member of the NYU staff will follow-up with you to discuss your situation within three business days.”

NY DREAM Act

NY DREAM Act

As of Fall 2019, “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.”

  • Step 1: Determining Your Eligibility

    • If you fit one of the descriptions below, you may be eligible for one or more NYS student financial aid awards under the DREAM Act:

      • 1. Your permanent home is in NYS and you are or have ​ONE​ of the following:

        • A. U-Visa

        • B. T-Visa

        • C. Temporary protected status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990

        • D. Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status)

        • E. ​AND​ you meet ​ONE​ of the following criteria:

          • a. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR

          • b. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within ten years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR

          • c. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR

          • d. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within ten years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR

          • e. 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.

      • 2. Your permanent home is outside of NYS and you are or have ​ONE​ of the following:

        • A. U.S. citizen

        • B. Permanent lawful resident

        • C. Of a class of refugees paroled by the attorney general under his or her parole authority pertaining to the admission of aliens to the U.S.

        • D. U-Visa

        • E. T-Visa

        • F. Temporary protected status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990

        • G. Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status)

        • H. ​AND​ you meet ​ONE​ of the following criteria:

          • a. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five 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 are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within ten years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR

          • You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR

          • d. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within ten years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR

          • e. 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.

  • Step 2: Completing the Application

    • Students meeting the NYS Dream Act eligibility criteria can apply for one or more HESC-administered grant and scholarship programs ​here​ and be directed to the NYS DREAM Act application powered by International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS).

    • 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.

  • Step 3: Monitoring the Status of Your Application

    • Once you have submitted an application, it is your responsibility to monitor the status of your application and to make sure your application is complete. You will be able to monitor the status of your application online after submitting your application and uploading any required documentation.

  • Step 4: Award Notification and Acceptance

    • You will be notified by email when a determination has been made regarding your eligibility for each award for which you have applied. If you are determined to be eligible for an award, your next step will be to accept the award!

    • For certain awards, you must sign a contract agreeing to live and/or work in New York State for a required number of years after graduation as a condition of receiving the award. If you decide not to accept an award with a post-graduation requirement, please indicate this on the contract.

  • START YOUR APPLICATION

    • By clicking ​Apply Now,​ you will be directed to the DREAM Act application, powered by International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS).

  • Step-by-Step User Guide to Completing the NYS DREAM Act Application

  • Frequently Asked Questions

  • Questions

    • Please email NYSDREAM@applyISTS.com or call 888-697-4372 with questions about the NYS DREAM Act.

Outside Scholarships

  • MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide

    • The MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide is a free, informative resource guide for students, parents, and educators with an extensive list of scholarships, including many that do not inquire about immigration status.

  • My (un)documented Life

    • Dedicated to providing up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants, including scholarships, higher education news, immigration law and policy, and more.

  • Immigrants Rising

  • The New York State Youth Leadership Council

    • “The NYSYLC is an undocumented youth led organization. 2019 marks the 10th year the NYSYLC Scholarship Awards Program that provides monetary support to students, regardless of their immigration status, who aspire to continue their higher education, be active in the immigrant rights movement, and wish to continue their commitment in the upcoming years.” To apply to their scholarship, go ​here​.

  • Boundless American Dream Scholarship 

    • “Provide financial support to exceptionally promising students who fulfill the requirements of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and who want to make the world a better place through technology.”

  • Levin-Goffe Scholarship for LGBTQI Immigrants

    • “Awarding a total of $25,000 for up to two years of school, the Levin-Goffe Scholarship provides a measure of financial stability to undergraduate students who are both LGBTQ or intersex and undocumented immigrants, including refugees and individuals seeking or granted asylum.”

Noncitizens & Employment

DACA & Employment

  • DACA recipient with valid work authorization, are authorized to work. If an employer states otherwise, contact IDI for support.

  • This USCIS guide on DACA ​has information on how to complete the required I-9 Form for Employment Eligibility. You must submit an acceptable document that confirms your identity and employment authorization. DACA is item 4 on List A.

  • Employers Interested in Hiring DACA Students

    • This page includes a list of employers “who indicated as part of a recruitment survey conducted in 2015 by UPenn and UCLA, that they would like to be included on a list of those specifically interested in hiring DACA students.”

Alternative Employment Options

  • If you do not have work authorization, consider the following:

    • If you receive an internship offer, ask the employer if you can complete an unpaid internship.

    • Noncitizen’s Guide to Entrepreneurship

      • “The guide is geared to non-citizens with work authorization, those without it, and those who want to prepare for the possibility of losing work authorization. The guide shows that, for those at risk of losing work authorization, there are steps that can be taken now to be in the best position to manage the changing political tides around the rights of immigrants and to feel in control of our lives.

      • In this guide you will learn to:

        • Earn money lawfully regardless of immigration status.

        • Gain tips for identification, bank accounts, taxes and other money related issues.”

Employment & Discrimination

  • If your employer has rescinded a job offer, refuses to pay or otherwise discriminate against you based on your immigration status, contact IDI for support. You have rights!