New York State to offer financial aid to DACA recipients

ALBANY, N.Y. (FOX 5 NY) - The New York legislature passed the Jose Peralta New York State Dream Act on Wednesday. DACA recipients living in New York State—so-called dreamers who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children—will be eligible to apply for college tuition aid.

The bill was renamed this year in memory of the late Sen. Jose Peralta, who was a passionate advocate of the Dream Act.

Under the bill, dreamers would be eligible for New York State Tuition Assistance Program, known as TAP, the Excelsior scholarship, and other tuition-assistance programs.

The Dream Act will cost the state $27 million a year. The state Assembly says about 6,000 to 8,000 people will benefit.

The state Senate, which had been controlled by Republicans, blocked the legislation for several years. But the current Senate, now controlled by Democrats, approved the bill 40 to 20.

The Assembly passed the bill by an overwhelming majority.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has long been a supporter of the DREAM Act and is expected to sign it into law.