Relates to state reimbursement to counties for amounts paid on behalf of non-resident students in attendance at the fashion institute of technology

6 Co-sponsors

• David Carlucci
• John J. Flanagan
• Terry Gipson
• Timothy M. Kennedy
• Andrew J. Lanza
• Lee M. Zeldin

BILL NUMBER:S1561C

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to state reimbursement to counties for amounts paid on behalf of non-resident students in attendance at the fashion institute of technology

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to alleviate the financial burden on New York State counties from having to pay charge back fees to FIT for upper division programs.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Provides that subject to the availability of appropriation, the State shall pay the charge back fees for baccalaureate and masters degree programs to FIT, and in turn, counties will no longer have the authority to pass such costs on to any city, town or village in that county. In the event that the State does not pay, the counties that issue the certificate of residences shall make such payments and the current law shall be controlling

Section 2. Sets for the effective date.

Justification

The Fashion Institute of Technology is a uniquely situated community college FIT relies on funding from three sources, local sponsor's share, state support and student tuition, much like any other community college. However, FIT grants baccalaureate and masters degrees which makes them unique.

Charge back fees are collected as part of an off-set to the local sponsor's share and are paid by counties whose residents choose to attend an out of county community college. Counties may then pass those costs on to cities, towns and villages in such counties

In these trying economic times, counties are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to pay the upper level charge back fees and the burden is falling on the localities. This bill is necessary to alleviate some of the counties' burden and eliminate their need to charge back the localities but to still fund FIT at appropriate and fair levels.

FIT provides a very specialized education in a variety of sought after programs. The Institute has impressive graduation and successful job placement rates and should be financially supported

Therefore, this bill would achieve the goal of fully funding FIT by having the state pick up the charge back costs for the upper division degrees while easing the counties' financial hardships.

It is important to note, that this bill does not provide an unfair advantage to FIT over other community colleges because it keeps in place the counties obligation to pay the lower level charge back fees which are paid to all other community colleges for two year degrees

Legislative history

2012 S.7152.

Fiscal implications

Pursuant to appropriation, approximately $10.8M in 2013-14.

Effective date

Immediately.