SUNY Old Westbury is a public university that strives to ensure all students have access to the resources they need to be successful, including undocumented immigrant students known as Dreamers who are motivated to earn a college education.
Admissions
Dreamers should apply through the regular admissions application channels: The SUNY Application or The Common Application.
A social security number is not required to complete the application for admission.
“Visa Type” is a required question for non-U.S. citizens on the SUNY application for admission. As an undocumented student, you have the option to select “Other” at the bottom of the dropdown list for this question. This option is considered a valid response and we recommend this choice for undocumented applicants, including those with DACA status.
New York State Residency for In-State Tuition
Non-resident students, including undocumented students, who attend for at least two years and graduate from a New York high school and apply to a SUNY campus within five (5) years of receiving their high school diploma, may be eligible for resident tuition. To be considered for resident tuition, such students should complete the Express NYS Resident Tuition Application. Undocumented students should also complete the "Affidavit of Intent to Legalize Immigration Status" included in that application.
Residency Application Details & Deadlines
Students who have been coded as non-resident by the SUNY Application Processing Center must file a Residency Application. They should complete the Express Residency Form and submit to Admissions prior to the start of the semester. In the Slate portal, students are sent notification to complete the Residency Application to determine if they meet the basic criteria and can be approved by Admissions. If Admissions does not approve the application, students may be asked to complete the "long form" that requires additional documentation and submitted to the Residency Committee for review. It is highly recommended that students make the first attempt with the application via Slate.
Residency Application Deadlines
Applications received after the deadline dates will be considered for the next term.
- Summer June 1st
- Fall September 15th
- Winter December 15th
- Spring February 15th
Financial Aid Opportunities
TheDream.US National Scholarship
SUNY Old Westbury is a partner campus to TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college access and success program for immigrant students, making TheDream.US National Scholarship available to eligible students who attend the University. The National Scholarship is for Dreamers who are first-time, current, or previously enrolled college students. The scholarships are open to undocumented immigrant students with or without DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) or TPS (Temporary Protected Status) who came to the United States before the age of 16 and before Nov. 1, 2018.
The award is for tuition and fees of up to $33,000 for each student towards a bachelor’s degree. The application deadline is February 29, 2024.
Learn more and apply to thedream.us
The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act
Not only does the DREAM Act open the doors to higher education, but it also provides access to New York State-administered grants and scholarships. If you attended or graduated from a NYS high school, attended an approved NYS high school equivalency program, or received a NYS equivalency diploma, you may be eligible for state aid.
Learn about the peralta dream act
Campus-based Scholarships
The Old Westbury College Foundation, Inc. works to reward meritorious students and to make higher education accessible for many students who might not otherwise afford the cost of higher education.
Learn about campus scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible for federal or state financial aid?
Under the Dream Act, undocumented students may be eligible for New York State administered grants and scholarships. You cannot receive federal aid unless you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
Am I eligible for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)?
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.
My college requires students to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for institutional scholarships. If I have been granted DACA status and have received a social security number, can I complete the FAFSA?
Since you have a social security number, you can complete the FAFSA. There is no penalty for doing so, but undocumented students - including DACA recipients - are not eligible for federal aid. If you choose to complete the FAFSA, the Federal Student Aid office provides specific instructions for DACA students at: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-c…
Will I be eligible for payment plans?
Yes. You can enroll in a payment plan.
Why am I being asked to submit TOEFL scores or other documentation for international students?
If a college contacts you requesting that you send TOEFL scores, foreign transcripts or financial statements, they have assumed that you are an international student. Call the admissions office to clarify.
If the DACA program is canceled or revoked, will my status as an enrolled student protect me from deportation?
Enrolled student status does not necessarily provide protection from removal; however, a 2011 memo from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) designates college campuses as “sensitive locations,” meaning that college campuses would not be the focus of law enforcement actions (i.e., arrests, searches, interviews, and surveillance) unless: (a) exigent circumstances exist; (b) other law enforcement actions have led officers to campus; or (c) prior approval is obtained.