Dream Act supporters hope New York passes aid for students

ALBANY -- Supporters of a bill that would give New York students living illegally in the United States access to state tuition assistance weren't giving it much of a chance in this election year, planning instead for a push in 2015.

But unforeseen support from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Democratic lawmakers has breathed new life into the state's proposed Dream Act and given hope to students who would otherwise be shut out of state financial aid.

"It's very frustrating to try and further your education and have so many obstacles in your path," said Marcy Suarez, a high school senior from Brentwood who was 7 when she crossed the Mexican desert to enter the United States.

Unlike the federal Dream Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for people that arrived in the country before age 16, the state Dream Act opens up state financial aid to students living in the country illegally.

The proposal includes a budget appropriation of $25 million to open up Tuition Assistance Program money for such students at both public and private colleges, paying up to $5,000 a year for undergraduates at four-year institutions.

Exactly how many would be eligible for the need-based assistance is unclear, but according to a report issued by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, 8,300 such students in the CUNY and SUNY systems would qualify.

"Evidence of the economic benefits of the Dream Act are indisputable," Marti Adams, a spokesman for de Blasio, said last week.

"We don't need to think this further. The legislature needs to give these students the support they need to succeed."

Ever since the proposal was first introduced three years ago, opponents have argued that using taxpayer money to fund tuition assistance for people living in the country illegally takes opportunity and funds away from students who are citizens.

New York is among 16 states that already allow those students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges.

Prospects for the immigrant financial aid bill remain uncertain in the Senate, where the new backing from four members of the Independent Democratic Conference leaves it still five votes short.

Four other Senate Democrats have yet to publicly weigh in on the bill, which passed easily in the Democrat-controlled Assembly last year.

Sen. Bill Perkins of Manhattan, one of those four Democrats, was the Senate sponsor of the Dream Act in 2011. Perkins didn't return calls seeking comment on his stance on the since-amended version.

Advocates for the Dream Act say they hope to persuade Republican Sens. Martin Golden of Brooklyn, Lee Zeldin of Shirley and Andrew Lanza of Staten Island to back the legislation.

Golden said he doesn't support the Dream Act, but would back a "Dream Fund" to provide scholarships through private sources.

Zeldin and Lanza didn't return calls seeking comment.

But getting the 32 votes needed for passage is just one hurdle.

Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre, the Republican leader, and Sen. Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx) of the IDC can block a bill from reaching the floor.

Democrats fear they will have the votes needed for passage, but will be blocked from a floor vote by Skelos.

Skelos didn't respond to requests for comment. He said last year he was open to a Dream Fund, but not taxpayer funding.

A Klein spokesman did not signal the senator's feeling on the bill either way.