Assemblyman Fred Thiele (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) joins fellow Assembly colleagues in sponsoring a comprehensive state Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act to continue New York’s legacy of educational support for immigrant youth. The bill would also, for the first time, allow immigrant students to apply for state financial aid as well as create a DREAM Fund that would provide private scholarships.

“I applaud Assembly Speaker Silver’s leadership in ensuring that all New York students, regardless of immigration status, have the opportunity for higher education,” said Thiele. “Investing in the educational goals of these students is an investment in their and our future and economy.”

The bill (A.2597) would make New York one of just four states – the others are Texas, New Mexico, and California – to offer state financial aid to the children of immigrants. In-state tuition has been available to New York’s immigrant youth since 2002, an option available in just 11 other states. The criteria for access to state financial aid would match the strict criteria for students seeking in-state tuition.

This legislation would also give young immigrants access to state educational programs such as:

• 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 measure would also create a DREAM Fund committed to advancing the educational goals of the children of immigrants through privately-funded scholarships and broadened access to the New York State College Tuition Savings (529) Program through family tuition accounts. The DREAM Fund would raise private funds in order to provide scholarships to college-bound children with at least one immigrant parent.

The DREAM Fund commission would be comprised of 12 members that reflect the racial, ethnic, gender, language and geographic diversity of NYS; and include college and university administrators and faculty and other individuals committed to advancing the educational opportunities of the children of immigrants. Four members will be appointed by the Governor, three by the Assembly Speaker, three by the Temporary Senate President, one by the Senate Minority Leader, and one by the Assembly Minority Leader.

The family tuition accounts would be available to anyone who provides a valid taxpayer identification number. These tuition accounts have been federally approved since 2002 and are similar to state-run programs in California and Illinois. They allow for systematic savings, making it easier for New York’s hardworking immigrant families to save for their children’s futures.