Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 18, 2026

A 8843: Relates to the qualification of an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship

This bill removes a requirement that applicants for New York's Opportunity Promise Scholarship must not have already earned any postsecondary degree. It specifically allows students already enrolled in eligible associate degree programs as of the law's effective date to qualify, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria. The change affects current community college students pursuing associate degrees in high-demand fields like nursing, cybersecurity, or green energy, without altering other requirements such as enrollment in approved programs. The amendment to Education Law Section 6311 takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barrier for current community college students in high-demand fields, expanding scholarship access without altering other criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5553: Establishes the New York state nursing faculty scholarship incentive program

Establishes the New York state nursing faculty scholarship incentive program for advanced degrees in nursing; provides such incentives shall be awarded annually, on a competitive basis, to registered professional nurses and certified nurse practitioners who are in a masters or doctoral program and agree to teach nursing for one year for each year such incentive is awarded.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides funding incentives for nursing faculty to teach, strengthening higher education staffing and program capacity in healthcare education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing faculty education to increase healthcare workforce capacity, directly supporting medical professional training and patient access through scholarship incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 164: Establishes the child care professionals loan forgiveness incentive program

Creates the child care professionals loan forgiveness incentive program for applicants who agree to engage in employment in the child care field; establishes the eligibility for such awards; establishes the amount and duration of such awards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded loan forgiveness program for child care professionals, increasing public spending on essential workforce development services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides loan forgiveness for child care professionals, supporting early education workforce development and access to childcare services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides loan forgiveness to child care workers, incentivizing employment in the sector and supporting workforce development within labor & employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3770: Creates city university of New York center for excellence in urban education to enhance the quality of teaching in public schools in N.Y. city

Creates the city university of New York center for excellence in urban education to enhance the quality of teaching in public schools in NYC; establishes the regents public school teacher loan forgiveness program to allocate awards annually to teachers who agree to teach public school in an area of New York state designated by the board of regents as having a shortage of public school teachers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates CUNY center to enhance teaching quality and establishes teacher loan forgiveness program for shortage areas, directly supporting educators and improving public school education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6206: Relates to additional financial aid provided to certain school districts

Provides for high need and average need school districts to receive additional financial aid for each student if such school district spends ten percent less per student than the regional average spending per student.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates additional state funds to school districts meeting spending criteria, increasing public education funding under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides additional financial aid to school districts meeting spending criteria, directly increasing K-12 funding for high-need districts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Financial Aid

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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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