On August 1, 2011, the Governor signed the Illinois DREAM Act into law. This law does not affect the immigration status of students as discussed in the proposed federal DREAM legislation; however, it provides students who qualify for assistance with the means to afford college tuition. The law creates a privately financed fund that will offer college scholarships to undocumented immigrant students.

Specifically, the Illinois DREAM Act provides for the following:

• Allows anyone with a valid social security number or taxpayer identification number, including undocumented students, to participate in the State Treasurer’s College Savings Pool and the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Plan. These programs allow families of DREAM youths to plan, invest, and save for their children’s college education.

• Public school counselors are required to be better trained and prepared to address the needs of serving students who are the children of immigrants, including opportunities for higher education for undocumented immigrant students.