The Student Government Association Merit Scholarship Award

The Student Government Association Merit Scholarship is now available for Hostos students for the Spring
2018 semester. Upon eligibility, 20 students will be selected and awarded up to $500.
The SGA Merit-based scholarship, is earned through academic, athletic or artistic achievements.
Eligibility Criteria:
● Must maintain a GPA of 3.0
● Demonstrated commitment to Community service
● Must obtain a letter of recommendation from either Hostos faculty/work
or community service
● With a minimum of 250 words & maximum of 500 words answer ONE of the following questions:
1. How will graduating in your current area of study help you make an impact/difference in our society under the current administration?
2. What inspired you to pursue your major?

PLEASE NOTE:
You must fill out a W9 form in order to receive your scholarship award. Contact Rhonda Smith in Room C371 or at 718-518-6561.

Applicable Law
In 1996, the federal government passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (“PRWORA”), 8 U.S.C. Section 1621, which prohibits states and localities from providing any “state or local public benefit” to unqualified aliens, including “postsecondary education benefits.” This prohibition applies to students who do not have lawful immigration status, including students whose deportation is being deferred under the DACA program.

There are no regulations under PRWORA, and we have found no case law that defines what constitutes a postsecondary education benefit under this law. However, based on the text of the law and the interpretations thereof in various states, we have concluded that it is concerned primarily with state and local governments providing financial benefits, i.e., “payments” or equivalent assistance in forms such as vouchers. It would not seem to include benefits that are part of the educational program, such as academic services to students.

While PRWORA provides that a State may counter its prohibition against providing financial benefits to unqualified aliens by affirmatively enacting state laws making those aliens eligible for such benefits, New York has not passed such a law. Given the law’s unequivocal statement that no postsecondary education benefit can be provided to undocumented students “by appropriated funds of a state or local government,” CUNY and its colleges cannot provide scholarships, stipends, emergency assistance or other direct financial benefits to undocumented students using tax-levy funds. In addition, it is our opinion that these benefits cannot be provided by any CUNY or college program where public and private funds are commingled.

Moreover, as the University previously determined, college association funds (student activity fees) cannot be used to provide scholarships, stipends or other direct financial benefits to undocumented students. In Matter of Smith v. City University of New York, 92 N.Y. 2d 707 (1999), the New York State Court of Appeals deemed college associations to be public bodies, and student activity fees to be public funds. Therefore, it has been our view that these funds are the equivalent of “appropriated funds of a State or local government” and cannot be disbursed directly to undocumented students.

Taken from Memo released on November 15, 2017 by the Office of the General Counsel & Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs.