Add Art 14-B SS696 - 696-g, amd SS355 & 6206, Ed L
Creates the "affordable college scholarship program" within the state university system, including SUNY, CUNY and participating community colleges; provides a low tuition for eligible students selected based upon academic merit.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2753
SPONSOR: Kolb (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the education law, in relation to
creating the affordable college education scholarship program
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill would allow eligible resi-
dent students to earn an affordable bachelor's degree at participating
institutions of higher education within the State at a total cost no
higher than $10,000 ($2,500 per year).
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 contains the title the Affordable College Education Scholar-
ship (ACES) Program.
Section 2 contains the legislative intent that making higher education
more affordable is a necessary step in securing the future of New York-
ers. This program will provide families with the ability to send their
children to college to earn a bachelors degree for $10,000.
Section 3 amends the Education Law to add a new article 14-B to create
the ACES program for the 2015-16 through 2019-20 academic years.
Participating institutions include SUNY and CUNY universities, colleges
and community colleges.
Eligibility and Acceptance
To be eligible for the ACES program, students must be legal residents of
the state, graduate from a New York State secondary school or a high
school diploma equivalency program, and meet income eligibility require-
ments. For eligibility, income is capped at $200,000 for dependent
students or $150,000 for independent or emancipated students. High
school students would apply to a participating institution and once
accepted, could apply to participate in the ACES program. The State
Commissioner of Education would administer the application process and
select up to 1,000 students per year for four academic years to partic-
ipate in this program. Students would have to maintain a 2.5 GPA to
remain in the ACES Program.
College Degree Cost
Under the program each student will be charged $2,500 per year for a
total cost of $10,000 for a bachelor's degree. The state will provide
the difference in the cost of education owed to the participating
college. Covered costs would be tuition, room and board and a $500 per
semester stipend for textbooks.
Scholarships could be used to reduce the $10,000 tuition to honor
academic achievement. However, TAP awards and any other financial aid
awarded will be paid directly to the participating college to offset the
costs of the program.
Sections 4 and 5 amend Education Law sections 355(2)(h)(4) and
6206(7)(a) to empower the SUNY and CUNY Board of Trustees, respectively,
to administer the ACES program for the 2015-16 through 2019-20 academic
years.
Section 6 contains the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION: Higher Education is critical to the future of many New
Yorkers and a highly educated workforce is paramount to bolstering a
healthy economy in New York State. Unfortunately the rising cost of
college is placing a financial strain on students and families, and
jeopardizing the future of the state's economy. This bill is a response
to that financial strain and the need to invest in New York's future
work-force. The Affordable College Education Scholarship (ACES) Program
will provide deserving students and their families an affordable pathway
to a college education.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: A.7515 (2013-14), Held in Higher Educa-
tion.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: For Year 1, the pilot program will cost approxi-
mately $17.6 million accounting for tuition, room and board, and a
stipend for textbooks. By Year 4, the total cost of the pilot program
will cost approximately $70.4 million.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately; provided that
the amendments to Education Law Section 355(2)(h)(4) under Section 4 of
this act and Education Law Section 6206(7)(a) under Section 5 of this
act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such provisions
and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith. 02754
