ALBANY — The dream is over for thousands of students who are in New York illegally.
The state Senate narrowly rejected a bill Monday night that would have provided undocumented students with state financial aid to pursue their education.
The 30-29 vote was short of the 32 votes needed to pass.
The Assembly passed the Dream Act last month and included it in its budget resolutions last week.
The proposal included an appropriation of $25 million to open up Tuition Assistance Program money for the students at public and private colleges alike.
Undergraduates at four-year colleges would have been eligible for grants of up to $5,000 a year.
Opponents said the bill was unfair to the tens of thousands of residents who are in the country legally but who don’t qualify for state education aid.
Sen. Greg Ball (R-Patterson) denounced the Dream Act as a “slap in the face to taxpayers.”
Supporters were furious.
“There are no words that will ease the disappointment of this excruciatingly close vote,” said state Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan).