• Eligibility: All children in New York City aged 3 or 4 are eligible for free 3-K and Pre-K, regardless of the immigration status of the family or child.
• Age Requirements:
  • 3-K: In New York City (NYC), your child can attend 3-K in the calendar year that they turn three.
    • For example, if your child was born in 2022, they can start 3-K in fall 2025.
  • Pre-K: In New York City (NYC), children begin Pre-K in the calendar year they turn four.
    • For example, if your child was born in 2021, they can start pre-k in fall 2025.
    • There is a Pre-K seat for every four-year-old in New York City, regardless of their immigration status.
  • Program Hours: Up to 6 hours and 20 minutes per day during the school year, typically from September to June
  • How to Apply (3 ways):
    • During the application period (visit the NYC Public Schools website to see when applications open and close for Fall 2026 for 3-K here and Pre-K here), families can apply one of three ways:
      • Online with MySchools
        • Apply online in 10 languages: English, Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, or Urdu.
      • By phone at 718-935-2009
        • Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages for over-the-phone applications. You can ask questions and request information about admissions in any language when you call.
      • In person at a Family Welcome Center. An Enrollment Counselor can help you submit an application.

Kindergarten through 12^th grade

• Eligibility: Every child in New York City has the right to a kindergarten through 12th grade education, regardless of the immigration status of the student, parent, or guardian.
• Age Requirements:
  • Children can start kindergarten in September of the calendar year when they turn 5, even if they are still 4 at the start of the school year.
    • For example, a child born any time in 2021 can start kindergarten in September 2026.
  • In New York City, everyone has the right to go to public school from age 5 until they either earn a high school diploma or finish the school year when they turn 21, whichever comes first.
• How to Enroll:
• Most elementary and middle school students can enroll directly at their zoned school, without having to visit a Family Welcome Center.
  • To find your zoned school, follow the instructions on the NYC Public Schools website here.
• Family Welcome Centers serve New York City families all year round with help enrolling your child in New York City Public Schools.
  • For a list of Family Welcome Centers and their locations/hours of operations, the school districts they serve, and instructions for how to make an appointment, please visit NYC Public Schools website here.

• ACS is contracting with four CBO partners with experience serving immigrant communities and families to help launch the program.
• Center for Family Life will serve families in Brooklyn, NMIC will serve families in the Bronx and Manhattan, La Colmena will serve families in Staten Island, and the Chinese American Planning Council will serve families in Queens.
• Each CBO will be responsible for community and family outreach in their respective borough(s); signing eligible families up for Promise NYC; and supporting families' search, selection, and enrollment with a childcare program, including issuance of monthly subsidy payments.

• Eligibility: Currently, any child can enroll regardless of their immigration status. Eligibility criteria for children includes:
  • Children from low-income families or
  • Children living in temporary housing or
  • Children in foster care or
  • Children from families receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI, or SNAP)
    • For more information on what counts as an approved reason for care or family income requirements, please visit the NYCPS website.
  • Age Requirements:
    • Early Head Start
      • Infants and toddlers between six weeks and three-years-old (who are not yet age-eligible for 3K)
    • Head Start
      • Children aged 3 to 5 years old
    • How to apply: Some Early Head Start and Head Start providers are affiliated with NYC Public Schools and these providers only serve children ages 2-5 years old in centers only.
      • Find all of New York City's Early Head Start or Head Start Program by visiting the Office of Head Start website and then contact a program directly to apply.
      • You can also visit MySchools to find a program near you.
    • Program Hours: All year, up to 10 hours per day

• Childcare vouchers help cover the cost of childcare at hundreds of home-based and center-based providers across the city. Vouchers may also be used to pay approved relatives, neighbors, or friends for care.
• Eligibility: Eligibility is based on your family's income, and you must have an approved reason for needing childcare. Each child in need of childcare must have a required immigration status to qualify.
  • For more information on what counts as an approved reason for care or family income requirements, please visit the ACS website here.
• Age Requirements: Children 6 weeks to 13 years old
  • Children with special needs or disabilities may be eligible through age 19.
• How to apply: Families should apply through MyCity (NYC.GOV/Childcare). Families can also choose to apply by mail, please visit the ACS website and view the “How Do I apply for a Child Care Voucher?” section for more details.
• Program Hours: All year, up to 24 hours a day

What are extended day programs?

Extended day refers to programs that happen outside of traditional schooling hours.

• Eligibility: Eligibility is based on your family's income, and you must have an approved reason for needing childcare. Each child in need of childcare must have a required immigration status to qualify.
  • For more information on what counts as an approved reason for care or family income requirements, please visit the NYCPS website and view the section “Who is Eligible for Extended Day and Year Infant and Toddler Programs?”
• Age Requirements: Children between six weeks and three-years-old (who are not yet age-eligible for 3K).
• How to apply: If you are interested in applying for Extended Day and Year services, you can:
  • Seek help with your application by contacting a NYCPS Family Welcome Center by email at ccapplication@schools.nyc.gov;
  • By visiting MyCity or
  • Calling 311
  • Families must submit both the Application for Child Care Assistance as well as the documentation outline in the below four lists. All eligibility forms are available on the NYC Public Schools' website at ly/childcareeligibility.
• Program Hours: All year, up to 10 hours per day

• Eligibility: Eligibility is based on your family's income, and you must have an approved reason for needing childcare. Each child in need of childcare must have a required immigration status to qualify. These programs can enroll eligible children at any time during the year.
  • For more information on what counts as an approved reason for care or family income requirements for Pre-K Extended Day and Year, please visit the NYCPS website and view the section “Pre-K Extended Day and Year Seats”
  • For more information on what counts as an approved reason for care or family income requirements for 3-K Extended Day and Year, please visit the NYCPS website and view the section “3-K Extended Day and Year Seats”
• Age Requirements:
  • 3-K: In New York City (NYC), your child can attend 3-K in the calendar year that they turn three.
    • For example, if your child was born in 2022, they can start 3-K in fall 2025.
  • Pre-K: In New York City (NYC), children begin Pre-K in the calendar year they turn four.
    • For example, if your child was born in 2021, they can start pre-k in fall 2025.
  • How to apply:
    • Families should apply through MyCity (NYC.GOV/ChildCare) or find a program through NYC MySchools and contact them directly for help applying.
  • Program Hours: All year, up to 10 hours of early care and education

The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) provides after-school and community programs for children and families, including free after-school help, information about jobs and internships, English-language and adult education, and free immigration legal help.

• Call 800-246-4646 or visit www.nyc.gov/afterschool for more information on after-school and community programs.

All residents of New York State, regardless of immigration status, are eligible to pay in-state tuition at all City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) colleges and universities.

• For more information about the City University of New York visit CUNY's website or call 800-CUNY-YES (286-9937).
• For more information about the State University of New York visit SUNY's website or call 800-342-3811.

On July 3, New York State released the application for the Senator Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act ("NYS DREAM Act"), which gives undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered grants and scholarships that support their higher education costs. New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is now available to more students, including those who meet criteria related to attendance of a NYS high school or NYS high school equivalency program. Undocumented students can now also access State financial aid and State scholarships for higher education. Furthermore, this law codifies the practice of allowing all New Yorkers to access the 529 College Savings Program regardless of immigration status.

Learn more about your eligibility (and how to apply) for New York State‐administered grants, programs, and scholarships to support your higher education costs

Anyone over age 21 who lives in New York City may register for Adult Education classes with DOE as well.

• English as a Second Language
• Basic Education
• High School Equivalency Classes
• Learn more about education courses offered by DOE

We Speak NYC is an Emmy Award-winning television show created to help immigrant New Yorkers practice English while informing them of the city's resources.

• Learn more about We Speak NYC

There are several literacy programs run by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) for anyone over the age of 16 who is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in school and who cannot speak, read and/or write the English language well enough to participate in education or training programs conducted in English.

• Learn more about the Adult Literacy Program

DYCD also runs a program for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who lack the reading, writing and/or math skills needed to enroll in a General Educational Development (GED) Tests Preparation Program.

• Learn more about the Young Adult Literacy Program