Queens, NY – Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman announced a major legislative victory for educational equity following the signing of A.7390, legislation that restores college access and financial aid eligibility for New York students who graduate from accredited online high school programs.

Previously, New York State law created a baffling double standard: colleges could admit out-of-state students with online high school diplomas, but New York residents with the exact same credentials were often blocked from admission to SUNY and CUNY or denied Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) funding unless they took an additional High School Equivalency exam.

The new law, authored by Assemblywoman Hyndman, eliminates this barrier. Effective immediately, New York residents who earn a diploma from an online high school accredited in accordance with Job Corps standards are fully eligible for admission to state colleges and for state financial aid.

"Education evolves, and our laws must evolve with it," said Assemblywoman Hyndman, the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. "For too long, we penalized ambitious New Yorkers who completed rigorous online programs – often through Job Corps – while rolling out the red carpet for out-of-state students with the same degree. This law ends that hypocrisy. We are sending a clear message: if you put in the work to earn your diploma, New York State will support your path to a college degree, regardless of whether your classroom was physical or digital."

The legislation is particularly impactful for non-traditional students and those in workforce development programs like Job Corps, which partner with online high schools to allow students to tailor their curriculum toward career training.

Key Impacts of A.7390:

• Unlocks Financial Aid: Graduates of eligible online programs can now apply for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program), opening millions of dollars in potential aid to low-income students.
• Guarantees Fair Admissions: SUNY and CUNY institutions can now recognize these diplomas for New York residents just as they do for out-of-state applicants.
• Supports Workforce Development: By recognizing Job Corps-aligned programs, the state encourages career-technical education pathways.

"This is about tearing down the invisible walls that keep working-class families out of the middle class," Assemblywoman Hyndman continued. "As Chair of Higher Education, my mandate is to ensure that every student – traditional or non-traditional – has a fair shot at the American Dream. This law is a critical step in modernizing our system to meet students where they are.”

The law takes effect in 90 days, just in time for students applying for the upcoming academic year.