Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 10470: Authorizes the dormitory authority to provide financing to Vanderbilt University for the construction of facilities

This bill authorizes the state Dormitory Authority to provide financing to Vanderbilt University for constructing new facilities. The legislation amends the Public Authorities Law to allow this specific funding arrangement between the state agency and the private university. Once passed, the act takes effect immediately and directs the Dormitory Authority to consider providing financial support for the university's construction projects. The measure does not specify the amount of funding or the types of facilities to be built, leaving those details to future agreements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes state financing for Vanderbilt University construction, providing infrastructure support to higher education institution.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 9595: Designates the state university of New York college at Geneseo as New York's public honors college

This bill officially designates the State University of New York College at Geneseo as "New York's Public Honors College" and codifies its mission in state law. The legislation requires the college to maintain an academically rigorous liberal arts education focused on excellence, student success, and equitable access for high-ability students. It also updates the Education Law to list Geneseo as the designated public honors college within the broader SUNY system structure. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates SUNY Geneseo as public honors college, strengthening higher education by codifying mission focused on academic excellence and equitable access for high-ability students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10436: Authorizes university faculty practice corporations for the practice of occupational therapy

Authorizes licensed occupational therapists who are members of the faculty of a college or university with an accredited occupational therapy program to create a university faculty practice corporation for occupational therapy students to receive clinical instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables occupational therapy students to receive clinical instruction through faculty practice corporations, enhancing practical training and educational access for healthcare students.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes occupational therapy faculty practice corporations to provide clinical instruction, improving healthcare training and service access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 9335: Increases the income cap for purposes of the Excelsior scholarship

This bill raises the income limit for the Excelsior scholarship in New York State from $125,000 to $150,000 for academic years starting in 2026-2027 and continuing forward. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing undergraduate degrees at public New York colleges and universities who meet specific enrollment and credit completion requirements. By increasing the income cap, the bill allows more middle-income families to qualify for the award, which is calculated based on the combined adjusted gross income of the student and their parents or spouse. The change applies to all future applicants without altering other eligibility criteria such as credit requirements or enrollment standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands access to financial aid for middle-income families, increasing funding for public education programs and reducing financial barriers to higher education.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands financial aid access for college students by raising income eligibility, directly supporting educational access and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10526: Prohibits mobile sports wagering operators or platform providers from permitting, accepting, or facilitating placement of a sports wager through a mobile application from any individual on a NY college campus

Prohibits mobile sports wagering operators or platform providers from permitting, accepting, or facilitating the placement of a sports wager through a mobile application or platform from any individual on a college campus in the state; requires mobile sports betting platforms to implement geofencing restrictions on campuses and properties; limits exposure to gambling for college-aged students; reduces distractions in academic settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects students from gambling distractions on college campuses, enhancing educational environment and reducing academic interference85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 13, 2026

A 10551: Designates the state university of New York college at Geneseo as New York's public honors college

This bill officially designates the State University of New York College at Geneseo as New York's public honors college. It codifies the college's mission to provide a distinctive, academically rigorous liberal arts education focused on excellence, success, and access for high-ability students. The legislation adds Geneseo to the official list of institutions within the State University of New York system and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates SUNY Geneseo as public honors college, strengthening higher education access and academic excellence for high-ability students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 10656: Provides for tuition assistance program awards for students experiencing homelessness

This bill expands tuition assistance awards to students experiencing homelessness by allowing them to qualify for financial aid without parental income consideration. It requires the state education commissioner to establish verification methods that align with federal standards for identifying homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Additionally, the bill clarifies that students who have already qualified as orphans, foster children, or wards of the court cannot be considered emancipated for financial aid purposes, ensuring they maintain access to support. The changes take effect on July 1 following the bill's passage and apply to students applying for state-funded tuition assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tuition assistance for homeless students, increasing funding for essential education services and protecting vulnerable populations from financial barriers.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands tuition assistance for homeless students, removing parental income barriers and aligning with federal standards to improve educational access.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses homelessness by expanding tuition assistance for homeless students, aligning with McKinney-Vento Act standards, which supports housing-related assistance programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Homelessness

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

A 10720: Requires state university councils to include the institution's faculty and professional staff

This bill requires state university councils to include faculty and professional staff as voting members. It mandates that each council have twelve members, including one faculty representative elected by the faculty senate and one professional staff representative elected by the professional staff senate. These representatives would have the same ethical and disclosure requirements as other council members and serve seven-year terms, while student members serve one-year terms. The bill applies to all state-operated institutions within the state university system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens higher education governance by ensuring faculty and staff have voting representation on university councils, enhancing institutional decision-making and protecting educator interests.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 10650: Implements a students' bill of rights for state university of New York and city university of New York institutions

This bill establishes a Students' Bill of Rights for CUNY institutions to protect student communication, governance, and free expression. It requires schools to create clear policies on student messaging, conduct hearings, and student representation in decision-making bodies. The law also guarantees student journalists editorial control over school media, protects them from retaliation, and ensures student activity fees are allocated by elected student representatives. These changes aim to formalize student rights in areas like free speech, self-governance, and media operations within the university system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes students' bill of rights protecting free expression, governance, and editorial control at CUNY institutions, enhancing student programs and educational access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects student digital rights, ensures editorial control over school media, and safeguards student communication and free expression in educational technology contexts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10484: Relates to the membership of the board of trustees of the state university of New York

Relates to the membership of the board of trustees of the state university of New York; reduces the number of trustees appointed by the governor from fifteen to ten; adds one trustee appointment by the speaker of the assembly, one by the temporary president of the senate, one by a majority vote of SUNY and CUNY staff, and two by a majority vote of SUNY alumni.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restructures SUNY board to include staff and alumni representation, potentially increasing accountability and educational access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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