Immigrant and Undocumented Students - CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy

CUNY is deeply committed to protecting our immigrant and non-citizen students. The University serves students across varying and changing statuses such as Lawful Permanent Residents, International and Exchange Student Visas, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protective Status (TPS), Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Asylums and Refugees, and those in mixed status families.

As a testament of its commitment, CUNY Student Affairs has created the CUNY Immigrant Student Success Program, a university-wide initiative that offers support for immigrant students navigating academic, financial, and career challenges. The program provides resources, advocacy, and guidance to support students in achieving success in higher education and beyond.

Free Legal Support & Immigration Services

CUNY Immigration Assistance Project (CIAP) offers 24/7 specialized emergency assistance to CUNY student, faculty or staff, or their family members, facing detention by immigration authorities.
Citizenship Now! provides confidential legal assistance to immigrants, helping with citizenship, DACA, TPS, and document renewals. Services are available to all, regardless of income or student status. CUNY Citizenship Now! hosts monthly webinars to provide updates on legal and policy changes. Register here.

Student Privacy Protection

Student records can only be accessed by a third-party if they have a judicial warrant, a legitimate safety concern, or student consent. These protections are guaranteed by Federal, state, and city laws: FERPA, Higher Education Act, Privacy Act, NYS Education Law, Executive Order 170, Green Light Law, Sanctuary City Laws in NYC.

Funding

Privately funded scholarships at CUNY are available to students, regardless of immigration status, in accordance with the CUNY 2018 Memo by the Office of General Counsel.

Jose Peralta NY Dream Act: Allows undocumented and other eligible students who attended high school in New York to apply for state financial aid. This includes Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants, Excelsior Scholarships, and other state‐administered awards. It ensures access to higher education funding regardless of immigration status.
Student Emergency Fund: Provides quick-response grants to CUNY SPH students who are in need. Through these grants, CUNY SPH seeks to ensure that students stay in school and complete their education rather than take a leave of absence or withdraw from classes. Thanks to the generosity of CUNY SPH Foundation Board members and private donors, the Student Emergency Fund is a lifeline to students during difficult times.

SPH Community

SPH Free Resources

Available to all students, independent of their immigration status