English and education
Where to learn English for free in New York and how to enroll a child in school. If you want to go to college, we explain how to apply, have a foreign diploma evaluated, find out what it costs with your status and where to find money for it.
This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Start here
- High school students in New York State can apply to CUNY (City University of New York) fee-free until November 16, 2026. Macaulay Honors College closes applications on November 16, Point Foundation on November 19.
- CUNY applications for fall 2027 are due December 1 if your education documents are from outside the U.S. or you need a student visa, otherwise February 1.
- Free English: Riverside Immigrant Services & Empowerment opens applications on November 4, and NYC Public Schools Adult Education asks for no documents.
- 1Free English classes for adults
- 2School for your children: how to enroll
- 3Getting into college in New York
- 4Foreign diploma and document translation
- 5What college costs at your immigration status
- 6How to pay for college: government aid and free programs
- 7Scholarships and grants: what is open to you and when to apply
- 8If you didn't finish high school: the HSE diploma
Sources, checked November 2026
- riversideimmigrantservices.org/can-i-study-at-riverside
- riversideimmigrantservices.org/english-classes
- riversideimmigrantservices.org/contact-us
- wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us
- wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/classes-near-you
- queenslibrary.org/programs-activities/new-americans/learn-engl…
- bklynlibrary.org/adult-learning/esol/register-english-classes
- nypl.org/education/adults/english-classes
- cwe.org/workersunited
- cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-colle…
- cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-colle…
- nyc.gov/employment/programs/cuny-adult-literacy-hse-esl-program
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/other-ways-to-graduate/adult-educat…
- adultedu.nyc
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/new-students
- schools.nyc.gov/school-life/special-situations/students-in-tem…
- nysteachs.org
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/kindergarten
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/3k
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/family-welcome-cent…
- portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03128
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/transfers
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/enrollment-forms
- schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/immunizations
- schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/health-require…
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/meeting-student-nee…
- schools.nyc.gov/learning/multilingual-learners/english-languag…
- schools.nyc.gov/learning/multilingual-learners/welcoming-and-i…
- schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-environment/immigrant-famil…
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/meeting-student-nee…
- schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-meals
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/other-ways-to-graduate/transfer-hig…
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/other-ways-to-graduate/high-school-…
- schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/other-ways-to-graduate/high-school-…
- ged.com/policies/new-york.html
- acces.nysed.gov/hse/high-school-equivalency-hse
- acces.nysed.gov/hse/national-external-diploma-program
- acces.nysed.gov/hse/college-credit
- acces.nysed.gov/hse/regents-hse-exam
- casas.org/nedp/locations/new-york
- queenslibrary.org/programs-activities/adult-learners/get-your-…
- destinationtomorrow.org
- 1199seiubenefits.org/funds-and-services/training-and-employmen…
- cuny.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply
- cuny.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/secondary
- cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-colle…
- cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/media-assets/CLIP-Enrollme…
- cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiati…
- cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/seek-college-discovery
- cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiati…
- cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs…
- suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny
- suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/10-26/10-19-26-2/free-app-we…
- cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs…
- ece.org/ECE/Credential-Evaluations/US-Institutions/Services-an…
- ece.org/ECE/Credential-Evaluations/Documentation-Requirements
- wes.org/credential-evaluations/wes-evaluation-reports
- ece.org/ECE/ECE-Aid
- wes.org/social-impact/programming/wes-gateway-program
- naces.org/members
- system.suny.edu/global/refugees-displace-persons
- op.nysed.gov/professions/registered-professional-nursing/licen…
- upwardlyglobal.org
- cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/legal-affairs/university…
- ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/2026-05/CCNYResidencyForm051…
- ccny.cuny.edu/we-are-one-ccny/qualifying-state-tuition
- cuny.edu/financial-aid/tuition-and-college-costs
- cuny.edu/financial-aid/tuition-and-college-costs/college-tuiti…
- kbcc.cuny.edu/administration/business_manager/bursar/nelnet.html
- suny.edu/smarttrack/residency
- suny.edu/smarttrack/residency/cc
- uscis.gov/archive/automatic-employment-authorization-document-…
- federalregister.gov/d/2026-20955
- news10.com/capitol/federal-lawsuit-ny-undocumented-students/amp
- vtdigger.org/2026/08/10/doj-sues-vermont-other-states-to-stop-…
- amny.com/news/new-work-groups-support-in-state-tuition
- cuny.edu/financial-aid/student-eligibility
- fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/fsa-handbook/2026-2027/vol…
- hesc.ny.gov/applying-aid/nys-dream-act/nys-dream-act-steps-apply
- hesc.ny.gov/applying-aid/nys-dream-act/nys-dream-act-frequentl…
- hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholar…
- accuplacer.collegeboard.org
- qaravan.org/quiz
- qaravan.org/files/ucheba-v-ssha.pdf
- qaravan.org/files/ucheba-v-ssha.pdf
- ccny.cuny.edu/financialaid/nys-dream-act
- hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/tuition-assistanc…
- hesc.ny.gov/about/contact-us
- nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/ability-benefit-atb-te…
- nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/guidance-questions-ins…
- cuny.edu/admissions/reconnect
- suny.edu/reconnect
- pointfoundation.org/scholarships/flagship
- pointfoundation.org/scholarships/community-college
- stonewallfoundation.org/scholarships
- roothbertfund.org/faq
- roothbertfund.org/scholarships
- jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship
- jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship/f…
- davisputter.org/apply
- davisputter.org/application-faqs
- thedream.us/scholarships/national-scholarship
- immigrantsrising.org/resource/list-of-scholarships-and-fellows…
- macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/applying-to-macaulay
- macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/tuition-and-merit-scholarship
- macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements
- macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/friedman-transfer-scholars-program
- cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs…
- nysteachs.org
- hesc.ny.gov/get-help/speak-hesc
- nyc.gov/ReportDiscrimination
- destinationtomorrow.org/contact-us
- bcc.cuny.edu/academics/student-success-programs/adult-educatio…
- qcc.cuny.edu/FREEESL
- qcc.cuny.edu/literacy/registration.html
- ogs.ny.gov/lap-higher-education-services-corporation
- esuus.org/newyork/arnic
- rescue.org/united-states/new-york-ny
- universitysettlement.org/programs/adult-english-classes
- communityimpact.columbia.edu/content/esol-classes-english-spea…
- catholiccharitiesny.org/what-we-do/immigrants-and-refugees
- nmcir.org
- englishny.org
- jchb.org/adult-literacy
- shorefronty.org/community-support/esl-citizenship-vocational-s…
- fifthave.org/adult-education
- ccbq.org/service/esol-english-for-speakers-of-other-languages-…
- camba.org/programs/refugee-assistance-program
- laguardia.catalog.cuny.edu/campus-and-community-programs/adult…
- commonpoint.org/program/esol
- riissettlement.org/program/esol-classes
- ansob.org
- bronxworks.org/our-services/immigration-services/english-for-s…
- nyc.gov/employment/programs/dycd-adult-literacy-program
- dos.ny.gov/node/47376