Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New York · Assembly Dec 8, 2025

A 7400: Implements a students' bill of rights for state university of New York and city university of New York institutions

This bill requires all City University of New York (CUNY) institutions to adopt a formal "Students' Bill of Rights" in their policies. It directly affects CUNY students by guaranteeing specific rights, including student representation on policy-making bodies, student participation in conduct hearings, designated free speech spaces, and protections for student journalists (no prior censorship except for illegal content like libel or threats). The bill mandates that institutions post these policies online and provide them to all students, with student leaders also gaining guaranteed communication channels to the student body. It does not apply to SUNY institutions, as the title incorrectly states, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees student rights including policy representation, conduct hearing participation, free speech spaces, and journalist protections in CUNY/SUNY institutions, directly advancing student welfare in higher education.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 378: Relates to higher education funding opportunities for foster youth

Directs the education department and OCFS to prepare posters and pamphlets with information regarding higher education funding opportunities for foster youth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects preparation of materials to inform foster youth about existing higher education funding opportunities, enhancing educational access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1954: Prohibits the granting of tuition assistance awards to any student who has knowingly engaged in certain antisemitic activities

Enacts "the combating campus antisemitism act"; prohibits the granting of tuition assistance awards to any student who has knowingly engaged in promoting antisemitism in a manner that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action, that constitutes "true threats"; makes related provisions.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts tuition assistance access for specific conduct, limiting educational funding access and imposing eligibility restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1724: Establishes the "Hunger-Free Campus Act"

This bill (A 1724, "Hunger-Free Campus Act") creates a grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities. It requires qualifying campuses to meet specific standards - including establishing student-inclusive task forces, providing SNAP enrollment assistance, operating food pantries, and hosting awareness events - to earn "hunger-free campus" designation. Public institutions meeting these criteria receive competitive grants to fund food security initiatives like meal vouchers, pantry access, and SNAP outreach. The program mandates annual student hunger surveys and requires a two-year report to state leaders detailing grant usage, student impacts, and recommendations for future funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state grant program funding food security initiatives at public colleges, directly allocating budget resources to address student hunger through public institution programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for campus food security initiatives at public colleges, directly supporting student access and educational success by addressing basic needs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses student food insecurity via public health initiatives (food pantries, SNAP assistance), aligning with healthcare's public health program focus to improve community health outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2219: Establishes the "New York Teach Program" conditional tuition waiver

Establishes the New York Teach Program conditional tuition waiver; requires participants to teach at hard to staff school districts for four years after graduation in order to have tuition waived in full for accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs in education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waiver for education degrees with service requirement in hard-to-staff districts, supporting teacher recruitment and retention in underserved schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3121: Relates to granting in-state tuition for community college for individuals who have received letters of acceptance to the military

This bill (S 3121) changes community college tuition rates for specific military-connected students. It grants in-state tuition rates to students who have received official letters of acceptance to join the military, regardless of their state residency. It also extends this benefit to spouses/dependents of active-duty military stationed in the state, those using GI Bill benefits, and spouses/dependents of military members not currently stationed in the state. The policy directly affects these student groups by requiring community colleges to charge them the lower resident tuition rate instead of out-of-state fees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for military-connected students by granting in-state community college tuition, directly supporting higher education affordability and accessibility.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends in-state tuition to GI Bill users and military dependents, directly expanding veteran education benefits and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

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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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