Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5612: Establishes the volunteer firefighters of New York higher education learning plan

Establishes the volunteer firefighters of New York higher education learning plan; provides requirements for eligibility to receive awards under such plan; provides circumstances under which such award will be converted to a student loan.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes higher education financial awards for volunteer firefighters, expanding access to postsecondary education through targeted funding and eligibility requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3735: Excludes certain graduate students from mandatory fees

This bill exempts certain graduate students from mandatory university fees starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects graduate students working as teaching assistants, research assistants, or similar roles (including adjunct instructors and lab technicians) who serve full-time or half-time appointments. The exemption covers all mandatory fees except the graduate student association's student activities fee. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, changing how these students pay fees related to their university enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts graduate students (including teaching assistants) from mandatory fees, reducing financial burden and supporting higher education accessibility and participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5517: Relates to creating the proprietary college tuition reimbursement account

Relates to degree-granting proprietary colleges; creates the proprietary college tuition reimbursement account for the refund of tuition paid by eligible students asserting certain violations; establishes an assessment to be paid by proprietary schools to fund the account.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition reimbursement for students defrauded by proprietary colleges, protecting educational access and financial accountability in higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2237: Enacts the "fair college admissions act"

Enacts the "fair college admissions act"; prohibits legacy admissions policies at colleges and universities in New York; declares such policies and practices to be discriminatory and inequitable.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits legacy admissions in NY colleges, aiming to eliminate discriminatory practices and expand equitable access to higher education - directly advancing educational access within the topic scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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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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