State lawmakers in Albany voted Wednesday to pass the DREAM Act.

The Democrat-controlled Senate passed the act, which has been approved several times in the state Assembly, including on Wednesday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he would sign the legislation.

The DREAM Act would give undocumented students who graduate from a New York high school or receive a GED access to state financial aid programs. It would also create a specific fund from private donations to make scholarships available to the children of immigrants.

Democrats are hailing the passage as another victory for immigrant rights, while some Republicans believe it's something taxpayers shouldn't be burdened with.

"This is a misguided attempt to reject the needs of those who actually elected us to be here and putting those that are here unlawfully ahead of them," says Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis.

The DREAM Act is expected to cost the state $27 million.