Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 58: Permits persons 65 years of age to enroll in a limited number of state university and city university courses for credit without tuition

This bill allows New York residents aged 65 or older to enroll in up to nine credit hours per semester at state universities and the City University of New York (CUNY) without paying tuition. It modifies existing education law to permit these individuals to take courses for credit (not just auditing) on a space-available basis, subject to institutional availability. The policy applies specifically to residents who are 65 or older and does not require examinations, grading, or affect enrollment for other qualified students. The change updates prior provisions that only allowed free auditing of courses for those 60+ without credit.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for seniors by waiving tuition at state universities, directly aligning with 'enhances educational access' support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7876: Requires colleges and universities to provide students with written information on reporting bias related and hate crimes

Requires colleges and universities to provide students with written information on reporting bias related and hate crimes, requirements for reporting bias related and hate crimes, and protections available to those who report bias related and hate crimes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires colleges to provide bias/hate crime reporting protections, enhancing student safety and access in higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2424: Establishes the community college merit and mobility scholarship

Establishes the community college merit and mobility scholarship for the purpose of granting merit based scholarships to students who attend a New York state community college; provides for eligibility and awards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates merit-based scholarships for NY community college students, increasing access to higher education funding and supporting student financial aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6644: Relates to degree-granting programs offered by SUNY's office of higher education in prison

Creates within SUNY an office of higher education in prison to coordinate access to higher education for individuals during and after incarceration; directs such office to create a plan by 1/1/2029 to establish a degree-granting program in every viable correctional facility in the state; directs such office to enroll at least 2,000 students in degree-granting programs as soon as practicable; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates prison higher education programs to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of rehabilitation and post-incarceration opportunity.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates SUNY office to expand higher education access for incarcerated individuals, mandates degree programs in correctional facilities, and targets 2,000+ enrollments, directly advancing educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2495: Relates to a state pre-paid tuition plan

New York's S 2495 establishes a state-run pre-paid tuition plan allowing residents to contribute tax-free funds to an account covering future college tuition at participating schools. Account owners (including parents or guardians) can pre-pay tuition at fixed rates for eligible institutions - such as SUNY, CUNY, or other 529-compliant colleges - ensuring the cost remains locked in regardless of future tuition increases. The plan requires a four-year waiting period before withdrawals for tuition expenses (not room/board), with funds managed by the state comptroller and subject to federal tax rules. It directly affects New York families planning for higher education costs, offering a way to avoid rising tuition rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTax-free contributions provide tax relief for education savings, aligning with support indicators for tax policy.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax-free pre-paid tuition plan locking in college costs, enhancing affordability and access to higher education for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8554: Establishes a managerial or confidential higher education differential

Establishes a managerial or confidential higher education differential for employees designated managerial or confidential who hold an earned associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate (e.g., MD, JD, Ph.D.) from a college or university or a professional license issued by the New York state education department are eligible to receive a higher education differential of up to six hundred dollars retroactively for state fiscal year two thousand twenty-four-two thousand twenty-five and for state fiscal year two thousand twenty-five-two thousand twenty-six.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates retroactive state funds ($600) for higher-education differential pay to eligible employees, increasing government spending on compensation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes pay differential for higher education staff with advanced degrees, supporting educator compensation and retention in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3494: Relates to sufficient proof that a student enrolled in or admitted to an institution of higher education has a disability

Requires institutions of higher education to implement a policy that documentation of an individualized education program (IEP) is sufficient proof that a student enrolled in or admitted to an institution of higher education has a disability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates higher ed institutions accept IEPs as sufficient disability proof, directly expanding educational access for students with disabilities per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Special Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 4559: Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state

Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires Title VI coordinators to ensure anti-discrimination compliance in higher ed, protecting students/employees and advancing equitable educational access per Title VI civil rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2204: Requires the commissioner of education to create a competition among SUNY and CUNY schools with prizes going to the schools that produce the most cost-efficient method of reducing CO2 emissions

Relates to requiring the commissioner of education to create a competition among SUNY and CUNY schools with prizes going to the schools that produce the most cost-efficient method of reducing CO2 emissions; the top three schools shall receive a cash prize which shall be used to improve environmental programs at the university.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds environmental programs at SUNY/CUNY via competition prizes, advancing higher education initiatives and improving educational infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill incentivizes cost-efficient CO2 reduction methods through university competitions, directly advancing clean energy innovation and emissions reduction goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds competitions for cost-efficient CO2 emission reduction methods, directly advancing climate change mitigation through education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1250: Establishes a list of grantees for certain appropriations for the 2025-26 state fiscal year

This Senate Resolution (R 1250) establishes specific grant allocations for the 2025-26 state fiscal year, directly affecting community organizations providing services in elder guardianship, transgender/non-binary wellness, LGBT health, school health centers, sickle cell care, and veterans' mental health. It requires the Senate to approve a plan listing grantees and funding amounts (e.g., $640,000 to Project Guardianship Inc., $75,000 to University of Rochester's Gender Wellness Program) before funds can be expended. The resolution mandates that all allocations follow a Senate-approved process requiring majority vote on a roll call. It does not create new policy but formalizes existing funding disbursement for designated programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates specific state funds ($640k, $75k) to community organizations for essential public services including elder care and LGBT health, directly advancing budget appropriations for these programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds school health centers and university wellness programs, directly supporting student health services within educational settings per grant allocations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates funds to LGBT health, veterans' mental health, sickle cell care, and school health centers - directly advancing healthcare services through specific grant funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExplicitly allocates funds for veterans' mental health services in grant allocations, directly advancing veteran healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health

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