Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5653: Expands eligibility for the New York state excelsior scholarship award to certain applicants enrolled on a part-time basis or in a BOCES or other approved vocational program

Expands eligibility for the New York state excelsior scholarship award to certain applicants enrolled on a part-time basis or in a BOCES or other approved vocational program; provides criteria for eligibility, and limits on amounts and durations for any such awards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access to part-time/vocational students, enhancing educational access and funding opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4205: Directs the board of trustees of the state university of New York and the board of trustees of the city university of New York to develop and administer the tuition exemption for law enforcement program

Directs the board of trustees of the state university of New York and the board of trustees of the city university of New York to develop and administer the tuition exemption for law enforcement program, which exempts police officers enrolled in full-time or part-time degree programs at the state university of New York or the city university of New York, including community colleges, from tuition and fees for the duration of their enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition exemption for law enforcement officers at SUNY/CUNY, expanding access to higher education for a specific group within educational access policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8504: Enacts the New York state community college funding stability act

Directs the state to provide annual base funding to community colleges operating under the university of the state of New York; requires funding to be indexed to inflation; requires annual reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects annual base funding for community colleges with inflation indexing, securing stable public education spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects annual base funding for community colleges with inflation indexing, ensuring stable financial support for higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7122: Enacts the New York state community college funding stability act

Directs the state to provide annual base funding to community colleges operating under the university of the state of New York; requires funding to be indexed to inflation; requires annual reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects annual inflation-indexed funding for community colleges, strengthening state budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects annual base funding for community colleges with inflation indexing, strengthening higher education funding stability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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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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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6096: Relates to prohibiting colleges from denying formerly incarcerated individuals admittance to college based solely on their incarceration

This bill prohibits colleges and universities from denying admission to applicants solely because they have a history of incarceration. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals seeking enrollment in higher education. The law adds a new section to education law requiring institutions to consider all applicants without automatic denial based on past incarceration. The policy takes effect July 1 following enactment, applying to all public and private institutions of higher education in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits college admission denial based on incarceration history, directly supporting rehabilitation and reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals - key criminal justice reform goal.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits automatic college admission denial for formerly incarcerated individuals, directly expanding educational access without barriers per education law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5632: Implements a students' bill of rights for city university of New York institutions

This bill requires all City University of New York (CUNY) colleges and universities to adopt written policies guaranteeing specific student rights. Key provisions include ensuring student representation on conduct boards and policy-making committees, establishing designated free speech spaces, and protecting student journalists' rights to publish without prior restraint (except for libel, obscenity, or imminent disruption). It also mandates that elected student leaders can communicate with the student body via official channels (with limited administrative review) and that student activity fees must be allocated based on student decisions. The law directly affects all CUNY students by formalizing their participation in campus governance and expression rights.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires CUNY institutions to adopt student rights policies including representation, free speech spaces, and journalist protections, strengthening student autonomy in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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