Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6948: Establishes the John J. Marchi government studies scholarship program for certain CUNY students

This bill establishes the John J. Marchi government studies scholarship program to support CUNY students pursuing degrees in government or government-related fields. It provides financial aid covering tuition, fees, and non-tuition costs (up to the total cost of attendance for federal aid purposes, minus other aid received), with a maximum annual award of $20,000 per student and a total program cap of $2 million yearly. To qualify, students must be New York residents enrolled in a CUNY government degree program and agree to complete at least 12 credit hours per year for four years after graduation. Failure to meet this requirement converts the scholarship into a repayable loan with interest.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes $20k/year scholarships for CUNY government studies students, directly funding higher education access and supporting student financial needs in a specific academic field.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6155: Relates to a net price calculator center for colleges on the website of the higher education services corporation

This bill requires New York's Higher Education Services Corporation to create a centralized net price calculator tool on its website. The tool will estimate a college's actual cost after financial aid (net price) by using household income, assets, and the most recent tuition data reported by each college. It directly affects students and families researching college costs, replacing individual college calculators with a single, state-hosted tool that provides personalized estimates for all New York colleges. The calculator must be prominently displayed and updated when colleges revise their reported costs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a centralized net price calculator for colleges, improving cost transparency and aiding student financial planning - directly expanding access to higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4354: Relates to reducing the cost of textbooks for students of institutions of higher education

Reduces the cost of textbooks and course materials for students of institutions of higher education by requiring every institution of higher education to adopt policies that allow the use of innovative pricing techniques and payment options for textbooks, supplemental materials, and other course materials or textbooks.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces textbook costs for higher education students, directly enhancing affordability and access to course materials per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 890: Enacts "SUNY for all: the New York State higher education equality act" to provide free tuition to students who attend SUNY

Enacts "new deal for SUNY: the New York state higher education equality act" to provide free tuition to students who attend SUNY who are enrolled in academic coursework and are on track to graduate; establishes the state university tuition fund to reimburse the state university of New York for the cost of tuition for students who are eligible for free tuition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state fund to reimburse SUNY for tuition, increasing public education funding and state budget appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free tuition for SUNY students, expanding higher education access and increasing state funding through the tuition fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6022: Authorizes tuition assistance program awards for students enrolled in short-term credential programs offered by certain public institutions

This bill expands New York's existing tuition assistance program to cover short-term credential programs at public institutions like SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges. It authorizes aid for students enrolled in programs lasting 8-15 weeks (150-600 hours) that align with high-demand industries and lead to employer-recognized credentials. Aid amounts are calculated as a proportion of full-time tuition assistance based on the student's actual hours enrolled. The program does not create new funding but applies existing aid rules to these accelerated training programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition aid for short-term credential programs at public colleges, increasing access to higher education and workforce training without new funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tuition aid for short-term credential programs in high-demand industries, enhancing workers' skills and job prospects through employer-recognized credentials.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 5685: Relates to the New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

This bill establishes a scholarship program for New York State residents pursuing master's degrees in education. It directly affects students enrolled full-time in approved New York state education programs who earned their undergraduate degree in New York, maintained residency during that time, and commit to teaching full-time in New York public schools for five years. The program prioritizes applicants attending public colleges (as defined by law), with remaining scholarships available for private college students meeting the same eligibility criteria. Key requirements include academic excellence during undergraduate studies and signing a teaching commitment contract with the state. The scholarship covers costs for qualifying education degree programs leading to teaching careers in New York's public elementary or secondary schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes scholarship for teacher master's degrees with public school teaching commitment, directly funding educator development and retention in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2049: Enacts "SUNY for all: the New York State higher education equality act" to provide free tuition to students who attend SUNY

Enacts "new deal for SUNY: the New York state higher education equality act" to provide free tuition to students who attend SUNY who are enrolled in academic coursework and are on track to graduate; establishes the state university tuition fund to reimburse the state university of New York for the cost of tuition for students who are eligible for free tuition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides free tuition for eligible SUNY students, expanding higher education access and eliminating financial barriers, directly aligning with 'support' indicators for educational access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3982: Requires the establishment of an appeals process for students who are denied the state resident tuition rate at any public university or college

This bill requires all public universities and community colleges in the state to establish a formal appeals process for students denied the in-state tuition rate. It directly affects students who are denied lower in-state tuition (typically for residents) but are denied this status by their institution, regardless of immigration status. Key provisions mandate that each institution set reasonable time limits for filing appeals and responding to them, and post clear information about the process on their websites. The law applies to all public higher education institutions and aims to provide a structured review option for affected students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes appeals process for denied in-state tuition at public colleges, expanding access to affordable higher education by removing financial barriers for students.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes an appeals process for in-state tuition denial, explicitly applying 'regardless of immigration status,' protecting access for immigrant students.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 508: Relates to increasing the maximum years of study under the tuition assistance program

This bill increases the maximum number of academic years students can receive tuition assistance under New York's program from four to six years. It directly affects undergraduate students enrolled in eligible degree programs at New York institutions. Key provisions include raising the limit to six years for standard programs, seven years for programs normally requiring five years, and four years for two-year programs. The change applies to all students receiving aid after the bill's effective date, extending their eligibility period for tuition support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tuition assistance duration from 4 to 6 years, expanding access to higher education funding for NY students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 27: Provides for tuition assistance program awards for students experiencing homelessness

This bill expands New York's tuition assistance program to include students experiencing homelessness, directly affecting homeless students seeking financial aid for higher education. It modifies eligibility criteria to align with federal definitions under the McKinney-Vento Act and requires a standardized verification process for homelessness status across all tuition assistance programs. The bill also clarifies that homeless students cannot be considered "emancipated" for aid purposes solely based on their homelessness status. These changes aim to streamline access to financial aid for homeless students while ensuring consistent federal-aligned verification.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded tuition assistance program requiring additional budget allocation for homeless students' educational aid, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance eligibility for homeless students, increasing higher education access and aligning with federal homelessness protections under McKinney-Vento.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tuition aid to homeless students, directly addressing homelessness per McKinney-Vento Act eligibility requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Homelessness

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