The state Senate plans to convene Sunday night to give final approval to the state budget. In addition, the plan would be phased in over the course of three years, with families that earn more money (up to $125,000 per year) gradually becoming eligible over that time.
Sanders, who in January helped Cuomo unveil the scholarship at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, introduced legislation in the senate last week to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for families earning less than $125,000 as well. But they will still be on the hook for the cost of fees and room and board if they live on campus. Some lawmakers had spoken out against this requirement, because it excludes students who enroll part time. Students must remain in NY for as many years as they received the benefit.
After they graduate, students who receive the scholarship must live and work in NY for the same number of years they received funding. Cuomo, however, said the number of credits required is "flexible", but not enough to cover part-time students. "Well, today, college is what high school was".
His office has estimated the scholarship will cost $163 million in the first year, but some lawmakers say that's lowballing it. About 940,000 families in the state will meet the income criteria when the program is fully implemented.
The scholarship is structured to fill in the gap after accounting for other federal and state grants. This doesn't include students who already have Pell Grants or New York Tuition Assistance grants.
Skoufis said the final Excelsior Scholarship does not cover the full tuition at SUNY and CUNY.
Pistons legends Thomas, Billups, Hamilton & Stackhouse after Palace halftime
Over its last five games, the Wizards are putting up 106 on offense while allowing 110.8 on defense. Last 3-pointer - Reggie Bullock, cutting the Wizards' lead to 98-97 with 1:25 to play.
The new bill has been cheered by SUNY Chairman Carl McCall and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, although they said they "hoped for additional support" for SUNY community colleges, as they expect an uptick in applications.
According to the Buffalo News, Buffalo schools will receive more than $632-million in state aid in 2017-18, an increase of nearly4.4 percent from past year.
Qualifying students must also live and work in NY state for the same number of years they received funding after graduation.
It also includes $19 million for assistance programs for students who attend private schools and fall under the income cap - something Republican lawmakers fought for. Colleges that participate would have to match that funding and agree to not raise the student's tuition during her enrollment.
Sara Goldrick-Rab, a Temple University professor who studies college affordability, said the requirement undercuts the promise of free tuition and could deliver a nasty shock to students who fail to read the fine print, or who take the money believing they will stay in NY, only to find better job opportunities elsewhere. Tennessee, Oregon and Minnesota have free community-college programs, with Tennessee's model lauded as a viable path for reducing higher-education costs.
Rhode Island is also considering paying for tuition for two years of public colleges.
Comments