Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3879: Permits the commissioner of education to include graduate programs as programs eligible for approval under the state tuition assistance program

This bill (A 3879) permits the commissioner of education to approve graduate programs for inclusion in the state tuition assistance program, which previously excluded them. It directly affects graduate students seeking state-funded tuition aid by expanding eligibility to include approved graduate programs. The key provision amends education law to explicitly state that "nothing in this section shall be read to exclude any graduate program" from being classified as an approved program. The change modifies eligibility rules but does not guarantee funding - approval remains at the commissioner's discretion. This is a policy adjustment to broaden access to state tuition assistance for graduate education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands state tuition aid eligibility to graduate programs, increasing access to higher education funding and aligning with education access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6392: Provides an annual scholarship of $1000 for students with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA who attend a New York state public postsecondary institution

Provides an annual scholarship of $1,000 for students with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA who attend a New York state public postsecondary institution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds education scholarship program via state budget allocation, aligning with supporting public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $1000 annual scholarship for eligible students, directly funding higher education access and reducing financial barriers for public postsecondary education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7214: Relates to creating a college preparation expense tax credit

Creates a college preparation expense tax credit for up to three years per child/individual for up to $500 per year for qualified college preparation expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for college prep expenses, providing direct tax relief per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for college preparation expenses, reducing costs for students and expanding access to higher education preparation. Directly supports educational access as defined in topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5539: Relates to increasing the phase-out threshold for tuition assistance program awards

This bill increases the income threshold at which tuition assistance aid begins to phase out, raising it from $7,000 to $18,000 annually. Students in the tuition assistance program who earn under $18,000 will now receive full aid without reduction, whereas previously they would have faced reductions at $7,000. The key change modifies the income brackets: aid is reduced by 7% for incomes between $7,000-$11,000, 10% for $11,000-$18,000, and 12% for $18,000-$112,500. This directly affects low-to-moderate-income students eligible for state tuition assistance. The policy change aims to expand access to full tuition aid for more students by raising the income cutoff.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises tuition aid threshold from $7k to $18k, expanding state funding for low-income students and increasing public service expenditure on education assistance.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases income threshold for full tuition aid from $7k to $18k, expanding access to higher education for low-income students by removing aid reductions at lower income levels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1732: Relates to increasing the phase-out threshold for tuition assistance program awards

This bill raises the income threshold where New York's tuition assistance program aid begins to decrease from $7,000 to $18,000 annually. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income students who qualify for state tuition aid based on household income. The key change modifies the income brackets: aid remains full for incomes under $18,000, with gradual reductions applying only above that level. This adjustment means more students will receive full tuition assistance before aid starts phasing out. The policy change takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state spending on tuition aid by expanding eligibility threshold, directly affecting budget allocation for education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRaises income threshold for tuition aid, expanding access to state financial assistance for low-to-moderate-income students in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3899: Provides an annual scholarship of $1000 for students with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA who attend a New York state public postsecondary institution

Provides an annual scholarship of $1,000 for students with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA who attend a New York state public postsecondary institution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for public education scholarships, increasing budget spending on student aid programs per topic definition.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $1,000 annual scholarship to students with 3.0 GPA attending NY public colleges, increasing financial access to higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 4909: Relates to the New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

This bill amends New York's teacher scholarship program to expand eligibility and prioritize certain students. It requires applicants to have earned an undergraduate degree from a New York state college while residing in New York, maintained academic excellence, and commit to teaching full-time in New York public schools for five years. The bill gives preference for scholarship awards to students enrolled in public colleges (as defined by law), with remaining funds available for eligible students at private colleges. It directly affects graduate students pursuing teaching careers in New York state public schools. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands teacher scholarship program requiring 5-year teaching commitment in NY public schools, prioritizing public college students to boost educator recruitment and retention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8356: Expands the New York opportunity promise scholarship to include all SUNY and CUNY approved programs which award certain associate's degrees

This bill expands New York's Opportunity Promise Scholarship to cover all SUNY and CUNY associate's degree programs that lead to high-demand careers, directly affecting students enrolled in these specific programs. It specifies fields like nursing, cybersecurity, engineering, and green energy as eligible, with the list updated annually by the Department of Labor before each fall term. The change ensures students in approved associate's programs at SUNY/CUNY community colleges or campuses can access the scholarship without restrictions based on program type. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state scholarship funding for associate's programs, increasing government spending on education without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship coverage to all SUNY/CUNY associate's programs in high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.), increasing access to higher education for students.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'green energy' as an eligible field for scholarships, directly advancing renewable energy workforce development through education funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands scholarships for high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.) aligned with Department of Labor's annual updates, improving workforce readiness for labor market needs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly lists cybersecurity as an eligible field for scholarship coverage, directly advancing technology education in a high-demand sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Renewable Energy Cybersecurity

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8704: Expands the New York opportunity promise scholarship to include all SUNY and CUNY approved programs which award certain associate's degrees

This bill expands New York's Opportunity Promise Scholarship to cover all SUNY and CUNY community college programs awarding associate's degrees in high-demand fields. It directly affects students enrolled in these programs, including those in fields like nursing, cybersecurity, engineering, and green energy. The key mechanism adds all approved SUNY/CUNY associate degree programs in designated high-demand fields (updated annually by the Department of Labor) to the scholarship's eligibility. The change applies immediately for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond, broadening access to the scholarship.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship coverage to all SUNY/CUNY associate degree programs in high-demand fields, increasing access to higher education funding and student support.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'green energy' as a high-demand field for scholarship coverage, advancing renewable energy education access through funding.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands scholarships for high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity) designated by Labor Department, directly supporting workforce development in labor market needs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes cybersecurity programs in scholarship coverage for high-demand tech fields, funding education to strengthen cybersecurity workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Renewable Energy Cybersecurity

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4082: Relates to establishing the New York state loan redemption program for certain public school teachers

This bill establishes a New York state program to redeem up to $9,000 of student loans for eligible public school teachers. It directly affects teachers hired after the law's effective date who teach STEM subjects or special education, meet specific academic criteria (top 20% in high school, 3.5 GPA, or top 20% SAT/ACT scores), and complete three consecutive years of full-time teaching. The program redeems eligible loan balances after three years of service, with the state covering up to $9,000 or the actual debt balance, whichever is lower, upon submission of employment proof. Teachers may cancel the contract with written notice but must repay any unredeemed debt.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($9,000 per teacher) for loan redemption, directly increasing public education funding as a fiscal commitment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides loan forgiveness for STEM/special ed teachers, supporting recruitment and retention in high-need education roles through direct financial assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education Student Financial Aid

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