Legislators propose more relief from tuition
KINGSTON, N.Y. >> Two Democratic state legislators from the MidHudson Valley are pushing to expand the tuition-assistance program for SUNY and City University of New York students.
Sen. Jen Metzger, D-Rosendale, and Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, D-Newburgh, have re-introduced their bill from last year to expand the Excelsior Scholarship Program.
The legislation (A7486/S5821) calls for the program to be extended to “part-time students enrolled in a BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) or any other approved vocational program at a SUNY or CUNY college,” according to a press release from the two lawmakers.
The current law, an incomebased program in effect since the 2017-18 academic year, allows qualified full-time students to receive $5,500 per year through the Excelsior program. Metzger and
Jacobson said their bill would allow part-time students to receive up to $2,750 per year, and that the students would not be penalized if they don’t earn a degree.
“We have an urgent need here in New York to address the affordability crisis facing current and future college students, and the legislation I sponsor with Assembly member Jacobson to extend the Excelsior Program to part-time students seeks to do just that,” Metzger said in a prepared statement. “Every young person in New York
deserves access to higher education without having to sacrifice putting food on the table or being forced to take on unsustainable student debt.”
Added Jacobson: “A person’s finances should not dictate whether or not they can pursue an education. But the unfortunate truth is that many students cannot afford to attend school fulltime because they also need to support themselves with a job — particularly those who are already in the workforce and want to back to school to improve their skills or learn new ones.
“The legislation ... will allow more New Yorkers to earn a degree or acquire training on a more realistic
schedule, while allowing them to meet their financial responsibilities,” Jacobson added.
William Hecht, superintendent of Orange-Ulster BOCES, voiced support for the program in a statement provided by Metzger and Jacobson.
“Many of our current and prospective adult students are looking for a nearby, practical route to furthering their education,” Hecht said. “They must pursue further education on a part-time basis in order to continue supporting themselves and their families. The expansion of this program would enable many more adults to achieve their dreams and to ultimately lead better lives.”