Your Rights as an Undocumented & Immigrant Student Accessing Higher Education

1. Can undocumented students apply to college?
   Undocumented students can apply and attend college. This includes all CUNY, SUNY, and Private Colleges in New York and out of state. Students applying to out-of-state colleges should check with the college to verify admission requirements. 

   While securing financial aid to cover SUNY or Private College expenses may be challenging, undocumented students are eligible to apply to these types of colleges. Undocumented students, just like their U.S. citizen counterparts, are strongly encouraged to create a balanced college list with safeties, reaches, and targets— including SUNY and private colleges as there are colleges that offer financial aid to undocumented students. 

2. Can undocumented students receive In-State Tuition?
   A09612, signed into law on June 25, 2002, provides in-state tuition to eligible undocumented students if they attend at least two years of high school in New York, graduate from a New York high school or receive a GED, apply for attendance at an institution within 5 years of receiving a diploma, show proof of residence, and file affidavit declaring that you will file for legal status when able. 
    
3. Can undocumented students apply to opportunity programs?
   The New York State Dream Act (NYSDA), clearly outlines that undocumented students are eligible to access opportunity programs. This means that students who submit a NYSDA are eligible to apply for opportunity programs such as SEEK/CD, ASAP/ACE, EOP, and HEOP. 
    
4. Can undocumented students apply for state financial aid?
   Eligible Undocumented students can apply for the New York State Dream Act (NYSDA) which gives them access to apply to various state aid programs such as TAP, Excelsior Scholarship, Enhanced Tuition Award, STEM Incentive Program, and more. Students will be able to access these applications through the same portal used to apply and submit their NYSDA. They should first apply for the NYSDA eligibility before applying to the other state aid programs. Check out the New York State Dream Act page for eligibility and requirements

Immigrant Student Success Center and Counseling Services Center Present Counseling Services:

Meet with the Immigrant Liaison Counselor, Saron Mullings from the Counseling Services Center. You can email Saron or notify Denise Vivar that you will like to be referred. All services are free and confidential. 

Contact the Immigrant Liaison Counselor Saron Mullings at: smullings@jjay.cuny.edu or email Denise at dvivar@jjay.cuny.edu OR

Counseling Center General Information:
Email: Dr. Cory Head: chead@jjay.cuny.edu
Call 212-887-6239  
or walk into L.68.00NB

Additional Resources and Services

Health Services

1. NYC Care: 1646-692-2273

NYC Care is a health care access program that guarantees low-cost and no-cost services to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. All NYC Care services are provided through NYC Health + Hospitals.

With NYC Care, you can get a unique membership card to access health services, choose your own doctor, and get affordable medications.

 2. Calleen Lorde

Callen-Lorde is the global leader in LGBTQ healthcare. Since the days of Stonewall, we have been transforming lives in LGBTQ communities through excellent comprehensive care, provided free of judgment and regardless of ability to pay. In addition, we are continuously pioneering research, advocacy, and education to drive positive change around the world, because we believe healthcare is a human right.

3. NYC Low-Cost Care

If you do not qualify or cannot afford any of the free or low-cost available health insurance options, you can find out about programs to help lower costs of medical care, prescription drugs, and other care, and health care facilities that offer discounted fee programs based on your income and ability to pay.

If you have immigration-related questions such as questions about legal screenings for other legal options, there are resources available at John Jay, CUNY, and from many nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost, high-quality, and confidential immigration law services. Contact us at Immigrantsuccess@jjay.cuny.edu and someone will contact you. 

Please also beware of fraudulent and deceptive practices by persons posing to be lawyers, such as those claiming to be “notaries.” When in doubt about a person or organization's legitimacy, check with a knowledgeable and reputable source, such as the ones on this site, before you proceed. 

Work Authorization Renewals

The ImSSC encourages students eligible to renew and apply for DACA to do so. We also understand that other students under other immigration statuses like TPS, Asylum pending, and folks in deportation procedings also need to renew their work authorization, please reach out to us for financial and legal support.  The ImSSC can connect you and your family members to a trusted legal provider. Contact Denise Vivar at dvivar@jjay.cuny.edu to schedule an appointment.

ImSSC also helps schedule appointments for legal screenings for you and your family to determine possible legal pathways forward. Screenings sessions are free and available twice a month. Contact Denise Vivar to make an appointment at dvivat@jjay.cuny.edu.

The ImSSC encourages students eligible to renew for DACA and Work Authorization through other programs to do so. The ImSSC can connect you and your family members to a trusted legal provider. Contact Denise Vivar at dvivar@jjay.cuny.edu to schedule an appointment.

ImSSC also helps schedule appointments for legal screenings for you and your family to determine possible legal pathways forward. Screenings sessions are free and available twice a month. Contact Denise Vivar to make an appointment.

Immigrant Student Success Center
Denise Vivarv | dvivar@jjay.cuny.edu

Academic Advisement 
Yaritma Cabral  | ycabral@jjay.cuny.edu 

New York State Dream Act Support
Michael Scaduto | mscaduto@jjay.cuny.edu

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Officer
Rose O’Neil | roneill@jjay.cuny.edu

Office of the Bursar
Erica Pabon | epabon@jjay.cuny.edu

NYSYLC Guide to UndocuWorking - Guide on working with various immigration status, opening a bank account, developing your credit score, taxes and independent contracting.

Spark Entrepreneurship Hub for Immigrants - Interactive guide to starting your own business, nonprofit, or entrepreneurship. Website provide diverse examples of undocumented entrepreneurs in various fields.

1. Driver Licenses - Undocumented immigrants in New York can obtain a driver’s license under Assembly Bill (A.B) 3675, signed into law on June 17, 2019. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of identity, age, and either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an affidavit stating they have not been issued an SSN. The bill includes confidentiality and privacy protections. Find more details here. 
2. IDNYC: IDNYC is a card for all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status.The free, municipal identification card for New York City residents, ages 10 and up, provides access to a wide variety of services and programs offered by the City. For cardholders 16 and older, cards are valid for five years from the date the application was approved. Find more details here. 
3. Traveling: Review guide for undocumented individuals traveling in the U.S here. 

Support for Survivors of Crime and Violence

1. New York City Family Justice Centers provide free and confidential services throughout the five boroughs
   Find the Center nearest to you by calling 311 or visiting Family Justice Centers.