Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Supporting Undocumented Students

The University will vigorously defend the privacy of students while maintaining compliance with the law. Prior to the release to law enforcement of any student or group of student records, the University requires a subpoena, court order, search warrant, or other applicable exception to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Admissions

A social security number is not required to complete the application for admission.

Certificate of Residence (COR): The COR is only required for students attending community colleges outside the county in which they reside. Counties are prohibited from asking for a social security number to complete the COR form. Some counties require the COR be notarized, others do not. If you are having difficulty obtaining the COR for the community college you are attending, please contact Julieta Schiffino at Julieta.Schiffino@suny.edu for advice and/or assistance.

Educational Opportunity Program Eligibility

U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for admission to EOP. However, you must meet  New York State residency, income and academic requirements . 

Students under the New York Dream Act may be eligible to receive state aid including support from the EOP program.

Federal or State Financial Aid

For detailed financial aid information, go to the New Paltz Financial Aid website.

You cannot receive federal aid unless you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Submit your FAFSA after January 1
SUNY New Paltz FAFSA Code: 002846

TAP (New York State Tuition Assistance Program)
SUNY New Paltz TAP Code: 0925

The Senator Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State administered grants and scholarships (ie: Excelsior Scholarship, Tuition Assistance Program) that were not previously available to them, which help support their higher education costs. For more information and to begin your application, please visit the HESC website. 

If you have a Social Security number, you may complete the FAFSA, and we encourage you to do so at fafsa.gov.   Some University scholarships require students to meet need-based criteria as calculated by the FAFSA. In these instances, you may be able to complete the FAFSA, not for purposes of receiving federal aid, but for purposes of being considered for need-based University Scholarship.

Do I qualify for the resident tuition rate?

You may be eligible for the resident tuition rate if you meet the following requirements:

  • You attended an approved New York State high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York State high school and applied for admission within five years of receiving a New York State high school diploma; or
  • You attended an approved New York State program for a General Equivalency Diploma (GED or TASC) exam preparation, received a GED or TASC diploma and applied for admission within five years of receiving the GED or TASC; and
  • You submit to the campus a notarized affidavit stating that you will file an application to legalize your immigration status as soon as you are eligible to do so.
    Note: It is not shared; the university will vigorously defend the privacy rights of students.* The affidavit is a simple form to complete and requires notarization.

Related information

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Resources:

DACA 

A DACA student has received deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process. Most DACA students are also granted work authorization; and if a student has work authorization, the student may be eligible to obtain a Social Security number.  For more information about obtaining a Social Security number, see here.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services