Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7590: Establishes an automatic application program for state high school students into SUNY and CUNY

S 7590 establishes an automatic application program for graduating New York high school students applying to State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) institutions. This program creates a centralized online account for each student, preloading their academic and demographic information. Students can review and choose to submit these pre-filled applications, and will receive estimated financial aid information before submission. Students who apply through this program and meet standards set by the department shall be accepted for admission, and can opt out at any time.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAutomates college applications for NY high school students, expanding access to SUNY/CUNY without application barriers95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3738: Makes provisions with respect to student awards, loans and tuition assistance programs

Requires the higher education services corporation to make a determination of financial eligibility of a student for financial aid, awards and loans within 60 days from the day of the receipt of the financial aid application; where the higher education services corporation fails to make a timely determination the applicant shall be deemed eligible for such aid for the semester for which the application was made; allows for a 30-day extension if notice is given to the educational institution within the initial 60-day period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates timely financial aid determinations for higher education, preventing delays that could block student access to tuition assistance. Ensures eligibility if deadlines are missed, directly advancing educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9207: Enacts Retain-NY by implementing tuition tax credits and increasing the amount of an allowable deduction

Relates to a tuition tax credit; increases the amount of an allowable deduction (Part A); reduces income by the amount of interest paid for student loans (Part B).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tuition tax credits and student loan interest deductions, providing tax relief for education expenses, supporting middle/lower income families.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition tax credits and student loan interest deductions, reducing costs for higher education access, aligning with expanding educational access under the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 786: Prohibits private colleges from collecting financial information from a student's non-custodial parent; requires that private colleges use student financial aid formulas that are arrived at independently

Prohibits independent higher education institutions from collecting financial information from a student's or prospective student's non-custodial parent; requires that private colleges use student financial aid formulas that are arrived at independently, without coordination with outside standard setting organizations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits private colleges from using non-custodial parent data in financial aid, requiring independent formulas to expand access to higher education funding and reduce barriers for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4243: Creates an income driven repayment plan for private student loans held by New York state banking institutions

S 4243 creates an income-driven repayment plan for New York residents with private student loans held by New York state banking institutions. It caps monthly payments at 15% of income above the federal poverty level for the borrower's family size, requiring annual income and family size verification. Borrowers who qualify for "partial financial hardship" can enroll, with payments adjusted yearly based on income changes. After 10 years of on-time payments (120 total), remaining loan balances may be forgiven, though forgiven amounts could be subject to New York state income tax. This directly affects New York residents with eligible private student loans from NY banks facing financial strain.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reduces financial barriers for higher education by creating income-driven repayment for private student loans, expanding access to postsecondary education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 17, 2025

A 7390: Relates to college admission and financial aid for students who have received a high school diploma from certain online high school programs

Provides that students who receive a high school diploma from an online high school program located within the United States that is accredited in accordance with the Job Corps Policy and Requirements Handbook shall be eligible for admission to colleges and financial aid.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by including accredited online high school graduates in college admission and financial aid eligibility, directly advancing educational opportunity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3340: Relates to establishing the Gold Award and Eagle Scout achievement scholarship

Relates to establishing the Gold Award and Eagle Scout achievement scholarship; authorizes a scholarship of $500 per year for high school graduates attending a New York state public post-secondary institution who have achieved a Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of the United States of America or an Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates $500 annual scholarships for Gold Award/Eagle Scout graduates attending NY public colleges, directly expanding higher education access and providing financial support for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6961: Permits the commissioner of education to include graduate programs as programs eligible for approval under the state tuition assistance program

This bill expands eligibility for New York's state tuition assistance program to include graduate programs. It permits the commissioner of education to approve graduate programs as qualifying for the program, directly affecting graduate students seeking financial aid. Key provisions amend existing law to explicitly state graduate programs can be classified as approved programs under the tuition assistance program. The change does not alter existing eligibility requirements for students or funding levels, but formally extends program access to graduate-level studies. This adjustment aligns the program's structure with current educational pathways without introducing new financial obligations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance eligibility to graduate programs, increasing access to higher education funding without restricting existing provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5063: 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 and vocational students, increasing educational opportunity and funding access for non-traditional learners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3696: Relates to the establishment of the New York state promise program; appropriation

S 3696 establishes the New York State Promise Program, providing tuition waivers for eligible students enrolled in New York community colleges. To qualify, students must be New York residents for at least one year, have completed high school or earned a GED in New York within six months of enrollment, maintain a 2.5 GPA, file the FAFSA, and not exceed 90 college credits. The waiver covers tuition costs (after deducting $50 and other aid) up to the actual tuition or $1,000, whichever is greater, but not exceeding average community college tuition. The state appropriates $450 million for the program, with annual grant spending capped at $10 million. The program requires annual reports on student completion rates, financial impacts, and program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds tuition waivers via state appropriation, increasing public education spending as a core budget allocation per bill's 'appropriation' language.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes tuition waivers for NY community college students, expanding access and reducing costs, directly advancing higher education funding and access through state appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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