What's happening
This bill allows undocumented and certain immigrant students in New York to access state financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition under specific conditions.
Why it matters
Expands access to state-funded financial aid and scholarships for undocumented and certain other immigrant students, potentially increasing their ability to afford and complete higher education in New York.
Eligibility is limited to those who have strong ties to New York, such as graduating from a New York high school or GED program, or having been enrolled as a resident-rate student at a public institution in the 2017–2018 academic year, which aims to prioritize students with established connections to the state.
Requires undocumented students seeking aid to file an affidavit stating they have applied, or will apply when eligible, to legalize their immigration status, signaling an intent to comply with future legal requirements and potentially providing a pathway to more secure residency.
Could impact the overall diversity and inclusivity of New York’s public higher education system, potentially leading to broader social and economic benefits by enabling more students to pursue higher education regardless of immigration status.
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Who cares
Undocumented SUNY, CUNY and community college students
The bill would allow qualifying students to use state-aided scholarships and other financial assistance to reduce tuition, fees and other charges.
SUNY and CUNY trustees
The bill would require regulations or provisions allowing this assistance for students who meet the specified eligibility conditions.
Community college administrators
The bill would extend access to state-aided assistance for qualifying undocumented students and require students without lawful immigration status to file an affidavit stating they have applied to legalize their status or will apply when eligible.
Headline styles
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1350
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to scholarship opportunities for certain students of the state university of New York, the city university of New York and community colleges
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subparagraph 10 to read as follows:
(10) Such regulations shall further provide that any student who is without lawful immigration status or is an undocumented person may have the payment of tuition and other fees and charges reduced by state-aided programs, scholarships or other financial assistance awarded under the provisions of articles thirteen, thirteen-A, fourteen and fourteen-A of this chapter, if such student:
(i) is otherwise eligible to receive such award; and
(ii) attended an approved New York high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York high school and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a New York state high school diploma; or
(iii) attended an approved New York state program for general equivalency diploma exam preparation, received a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state; or
(iv) was enrolled in an institution or educational unit of the state university in the fall semester or quarter of the two thousand seventeen--two thousand eighteen academic year and was authorized by such institution or educational unit to pay tuition at the rate or charge imposed for students who are residents of the state.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06948-01-7
S. 1350 2
A student without lawful immigration status shall also be required to file an affidavit with such institution or educational unit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
§ 2. Subdivision 7 of section 6206 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) The trustees shall further provide that any student who is without lawful immigration status or is an undocumented person may have the payment of tuition and other fees and charges reduced by state-aided programs, scholarships or other financial assistance awarded under the provisions of articles thirteen, thirteen-A, fourteen and fourteen-A of this chapter, if such student:
(i) is otherwise eligible to receive such award; and
(ii) attended an approved New York high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York high school and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a New York state high school diploma; or
(iii) attended an approved New York state program for general equivalency diploma exam preparation, received a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state; or
(iv) was enrolled in an institution or educational unit of the state university in the fall semester or quarter of the two thousand seventeen--two thousand eighteen academic year and was authorized by such institution or educational unit to pay tuition at the rate or charge imposed for students who are residents of the state.
A student without lawful immigration status shall also be required to file an affidavit with such institution or educational unit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
§ 3. Section 6305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8-a to read as follows:
8-a. The payment of tuition and other fees and charges of a student who is attending a community college and who is without lawful immigration status or is an undocumented person may be reduced by state-aided programs, scholarships and other financial assistance awarded under the provisions of articles thirteen, thirteen-A, fourteen and fourteen-A of this chapter, if such student:
(i) is otherwise eligible to receive such award; and
(ii) attended an approved New York high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York high school and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a New York state high school diploma; or
(iii) attended an approved New York state program for general equivalency diploma exam preparation, received a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state; or
(iv) was enrolled in an institution or educational unit of the state university in the fall semester or quarter of the two thousand seventeen--two thousand eighteen academic year and was authorized by such institution or educational unit to pay tuition at the rate or charge imposed for students who are residents of the state.
S. 1350 3
A student without lawful immigration status shall also be required to file an affidavit with such institution or educational unit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
§ 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to scholarship opportunities for certain students of the state university of New York, the city university of New York and community colleges
Purpose or general idea of bill
Provides state-aided scholarship opportunities for SUNY, CUNY or community college students who are without lawful immigration status or who are undocumented.
Summary of specific provision
Section 1. Paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 359 of the education law is amended by adding a new subparagraph 10 to read as follows:
Read the full memo (1,018 words)
(10) Such regulations shall further provide that any student who is without lawful immigration status or is an undocumented person may have the payment of tuition and other fees and charges reduced by state-aided Programs, scholarships or other financial assistance awarded under the provisions of article thirteen, thirteen-A, fourteen and fourteen-A of this chapter, if such student:
(i) is otherwise eligible to receive such award; and
(ii) attended an approved New York high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York high school and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a New York State high school diploma; or
(iii) attended an approved New York State program for general equivalency diploma exam preparation, received a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state; or.
(iv) was enrolled in an institution or educational unit of the state university in the fall semester or quarter of the two thousand ten-two thousand eleven academic year and was authorized by such institution or educational unit to pay tuition at the rate or charge imposed for students who are residents of the state. A student without lawful immigration status shall also be required to file an affidavit with such institution or educational unit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
2. Subdivision 7 of section 6206 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) The trustees shall further provide that any student who is without lawful immigration status or is an undocumented person may have the payment of tuition and other fees and charges reduced by state-aided Programs, if such student:
(i) is otherwise eligible to receive such award; and
(ii) attended an approved New York high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York high school and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a New York state high school diploma; or
(iii) attended an approved New York state program for general equivalency diploma exam preparation, received a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state; or
(iv) was enrolled in an institution or educational unit of the state university in the fall semester or quarter of the two thousand ten-two thousand eleven academic year and was authorized by such institution or educational unit to pay tuition at the rate or charge imposed for students who are residents of the state. A student without lawful immigration status shall also be required to tile an affidavit with such institutions or educational unit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
3. Section 6305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8-a to read as follows:
8-a The payment of tuition and other fees and charges of a student who is attending a community college and who is without lawful immigration status or is an undocumented person may be reduced by state-,aided programs, scholarships and other financial assistance awarded under the provisions of article thirteen, thirteen-A, fourteen and fourteen-A of this chapter, if such student:
(i) is otherwise eligible to receive such award; and
(ii) attended an approved New York high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York high school and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a New York state high school diploma; or
(iii) attended an approved New York State program for general equivalency diploma exam preparation, received a general equivalency diploma issued within New York and applied for attendance at an institution or educational unit of the state university within five years of receiving a general equivalency diploma issued within New York state; or
(iv) was enrolled in an institution or educational unit of the state university in the fall semester or quarter of the two thousand ten-two thousand eleven academic year and was authorized by such institution or educational unit to pay tuition at the rate or charge imposed for students who are residents of the state. A student without lawful immigration status shall also be required to file an affidavit with such institution or educational unit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
Justification
New York State is currently home to more than one and one-half million undocumented persons. These individuals contribute to the cultural diversity of our State and help to stimulate our economy. As a state of immigrants, New York State has a special obligation to assist those who, like our ancestors, have come to our country to seek a better way of life. undocumented persons are especially vulnerable to exploitation and suffering from substandard education, housing, and health care.
Prior legislative history
2005/06: A.6408 2007/08: A.4653 Referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.