Education (Higher Education)

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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6597: Prohibits legacy preference as eligible criteria for admission standards

This bill prohibits degree-granting colleges and universities in the state from considering an applicant's family connection to a graduate when making admission decisions. It directly affects all public and private higher education institutions that admit students. The key provision bans using "legacy preference" (favoring applicants with family members who graduated) as a factor in admission standards, though institutions may still ask about family graduation history after an admission offer is accepted for data collection purposes. The law takes effect on July 1st following its enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans legacy preference in college admissions, promoting equitable access to higher education by removing a barrier that disproportionately affects underrepresented groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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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 · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6418: Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students

Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students; provides access to laptops and textbooks without charge.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides free laptops for high school/higher ed students and textbooks for higher ed, directly expanding educational access and resource availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Libraries

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1268: Prohibits funding of any degree-granting institution of higher education if such institution permits certain organizations on campus

Prohibits state funding of any degree-granting institution of higher education if such institution permits terrorist organizations or activities in support of such organizations on campus; prohibits any student group or organization of receiving funding from the degree-granting institution if such group or organization directly or indirectly promotes, encourages, advocates, or engages in any terrorist advocacy or activities on campus.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prohibits state funding for institutions permitting terrorist activities, directly restricting budget allocation to higher education institutions.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill prohibits state funding for higher ed institutions permitting terrorist organizations, defunding non-compliant schools and restricting educational funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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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 Jan 7, 2026

S 7206: Conforms the New York state college choice tuition savings program to the federal qualified tuition program

Conforms the New York state college choice tuition savings program to the federal qualified tuition program so as to include savings for grades kindergarten through 12.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition savings access to K-12, enhancing educational funding options for families by aligning state program with federal standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

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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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