Establishes the volunteer firefighters of New York higher education learning plan

BILL NUMBER:S5374

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the volunteer firefighters of New York higher education learning plan

Purpose

This act will create the Volunteer Firefighters of New York Higher Education Learning Plan.

Summary of provisions

This bill adds a new section 669-e to the Education Law.

Subsection 1 establishes the eligibility for undergraduate students at the State University of New York who are members in good standing of one of New York's Volunteer fire companies to participate in the program.

Subsection 2 provides that the awards shall be granted to applicants that the corporation has certified are eligible based on the amount of funds appropriated.

Subsection 3 provides that awards shall be limited to not more than four academic years of full time undergraduate study.

Subsection 4 establishes that the maximum award shall be either one hundred percent of annual tuition charged to state residents at the State University of New York or the actual tuition charged, whichever is less.

Subsection 5 provides the criteria by which the corporation shall convert the award to a student loan.

This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

New York's Volunteer Fire Companies provide fire and emergency response services to New Yorkers all across the Empire State. The provision of these important and essential services would not be possible without the thousands of New Yorkers who volunteer their time and energy to serve as volunteer firefighters in their community. In recent years, recruiting and retaining enough people to adequately provide volunteer fire and emergency response services has proven to be difficult in many communities.

As a way to attract and retain new members, the Firemen's Association of the State of New York has launched the Higher Education Learning Plan which provides active volunteer firefighters with tuition reimbursement for the successful completion of courses at a nearby community college. Many communities throughout New York State do not have a community college nearby. Instead, many have a four-year State University of New York College nearby.

This bill would create a state wide program to allow active volunteer firefighters to receive tuition reimbursement for the successful completion of undergraduate courses at a State University of New York College. Creation of this program will provide New York's volunteer fire companies with a valuable incentive to use in the recruiting and retaining of individuals to serve as volunteer firefighters in their community.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Subject to budgetary appropriation.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.