Establishes graduate tuition assistance program awards; sets amounts of such awards; provides for restrictions on such awards; makes related provisions.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7389
SPONSOR: Hyndman (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to graduate tuition
assistance program awards
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To extend Tuition Assistance Program benefits to graduate students who
need financial aid during their time at SUNY or CUNY.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Subdivision 6 of section 661 of the education law is amended by adding a
new paragraph d to read as follows: No provision of this article shall
be deemed to restrict eligible graduate students from receiving awards
pursuant to section six hundred sixty-seven-b of this part.
The opening paragraph of subparagraph 1 of paragraph b of subdivision 3
of section 663 of the education law is amended to read as follows: The
applicant is a student who was married on or before December thirty-
first of the calendar year prior to the beginning of the academic year
for which application is made or is an undergraduate or graduate student
who has reached the age of twenty-two on or before June thirtieth prior
to the academic year for which application is made and who, during the
calendar year next preceding the semester, quarter or term of attendance
for which application is made and at all times subsequent thereto up to
and including the entire period for which application is made.
Paragraph d of subdivision 3 of section 663 of the education law, as
amended by section 6 of part J of chapter 58 of the laws of 2011, is
amended to read as follows: Any undergraduate or graduate student who
was allowed to exclude parental income pursuant to the provisions of
subdivision three of section six hundred three of this chapter as they
existed prior to July 24 first, nineteen hundred seventy-four may
continue to exclude such income for so long as he or she continues to
comply with such provisions. The education law is amended by adding a
new section 667-b.
Recipient qualifications: Notwithstanding any other provision of law or
regulation to the contrary, graduate tuition assistance program awards
shall be available for all students who are enrolled in approved post-
baccalaureate programs leading to a graduate, first professional, or
doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, educa-
tion or a licensed healthcare profession, and who demonstrate the abili-
ty to complete such courses, in accordance with standards established by
the commissioner, provided, however, that no award shall exceed one
hundred percent of the amount of tuition charged.
Duration: No graduate student shall be eligible for awards for more than
two years of post-baccalaureate studies. A student may not receive
awards under this section at the same time they receive awards under
section six hundred sixty-seven of this subpart, nor while they are
enrolled as an undergraduate student.
Graduate tuition assistance awards: The president shall make awards to
graduate students enrolled in approved programs at degree granting
institutions. An eligible graduate student may receive up to five thou-
sand six hundred sixty-five dollars or the cost of their tuition, which-
ever is less. The base amount of this award shall be reduced in relation
to income as laid out in the legislation.
JUSTIFICATION:
Graduate students often face the same financial struggles as undergradu-
ate students while pursuing their degree. Additionally, SUNY and CUNY
graduate students often serve as researchers and graduate assistants
during their time in school, providing vital services to their colleges
and universities. By extending the tuition assistance program (TAP) to
graduate students we can help ensure these students stay on track to
obtain their advanced degree while providing continued benefits to our
higher education institutions.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Estimated $3.0M
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law.
