Relates to the criteria for determining tuition assistance program awards; provides for the elimination of the distinction between dependent students and independent students for the purpose of determining tuition assistance program award amounts and eligibility.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8432
SPONSOR: Fahy TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the criteria for
determining tuition assistance program awards
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create a single standard for determining tuition assistance program
eligibility and award amounts, regardless of a student's dependent or
independent tax-filing status.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subsection 3 of section 667 of the education law to
remove subparagraph (iii) which creates separate income thresholds and
award amounts for students who are independent tax-filers, and to make
all students subject to the award amounts outlined in subparagraph ji)
and income thresholds outlined in subparagraph (ii).
Section 2 is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The current eligibility criteria for New York's Tuition Assistance
Program creates a two-tiered system of support for New Yorkers pursuing
higher education. Students who are claimed as dependents are eligible
for TAP as long as their family income is less than $80,000, and they
can receive up to a maximum award of $5,665. Students who are independ-
ent tax-filers, however, receive much less support. Single independent
tax-filers with no dependents are only eligible if their income is below
$10,000, and for married independent students, the income limit is
$40,000. The maximum award amount of $3,525 for independent students is
40% lower than it is for dependent students.
This system places an unjustified burden on nontraditional students-it
assumes that single independent students can afford to finance their own
higher education if they make more than $10,000. Given the challenges
facing New York State in terms of workforce shortages and declining
college enrollment, TAP should be redesigned to encourage nontraditional
students to go to college and gain new skills and credentials. The elim-
ination of the distinction between dependent and independent students
would level the playing field, removing a barrier to access to higher
education for thousands of nontraditional students.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become law.
