UAlbany and TheDream.US Offer New Scholarships for New York Dreamers

ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 10, 2022) — Immigrant youth in New York now have access to a major new scholarship at the University at Albany thanks to a partnership between UAlbany and TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college and career success program for youth without permanent legal status.

The announcement coincides with the opening this month of the new TheDream.US scholarship round for the 2023-24 academic year, which will run through February 28, 2023. The scholarships are open to Dreamers with or without DACA or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and before November 1, 2017. (Learn more about eligibility and how to apply on TheDream.US' website.)

“Our mission as a public university calls us to make an excellent, affordable higher education available to all New Yorkers, regardless of status — and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion demands it,” said University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez. “These new scholarships are an important signal to these students that they not only are welcome here but that we will do whatever we can to ensure their success.”

Building on the NYS DREAM Act

The new partnership builds on the resources already available to students under the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act, which made qualified students without permanent legal status eligible for major New York State financial aid such as the Tuition Assistance Program and Excelsior Scholarship. UAlbany students without permanent legal status also are now eligible to apply to TheDream.US National Scholarship, which is open to first-time college students or community college graduates seeking a bachelor’s degree.

TheDream.US award covers tuition and mandatory fees of up to or $8,250 annually (or $33,000 total) for a bachelor’s degree, with the University covering the difference between that amount and the full cost of in-state tuition and fees. Under the partnership, UAlbany will also provide key services to help recipients successfully navigate college life, both on and off campus.

UAlbany joins more than 80 other campuses partnering with TheDream.US in 21 states and Washington, D.C. that are committed to serving Dreamers.

“We are grateful for the new partnership with UAlbany to provide New York Dreamers this opportunity. Time and time again, our graduates’ successes show why expanding access to higher education and stabilizing Dreamers’ futures is good for our country,” said Candy Marshall, president of TheDream.US. “Despite the many obstacles Dreamers face, they continue to persevere and work hard to achieve their education goals and pursue a meaningful career. We want to thank UAlbany and the rest of our partner colleges across America for giving immigrant youth the opportunity to pursue their higher education and career dreams and contribute to the future of our country.”

Supporting Immigrant Students

Last year, UAlbany and President Rodríguez joined the Steering Committee of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a coalition of more than 500 college and university presidents and chancellors promoting federal, state and local policies that support immigrant, international and refugee students.

UAlbany has consistently been recognized as a leader within SUNY and nationally for its commitment to the success of underrepresented students. In September, the University became the first SUNY campus and the only R1institution in the northeast to receive the prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its proven, data-driven approach to Latina and Latino student success. UAlbany has also been consistently recognized by numerous organizations, including U.S. News & World Report and the Washington, D.C., think tank Third Way, as a top performer in the social and economic mobility of its students.