Establishes the volunteer firefighters of New York higher education learning plan

1 Co-sponsor

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

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

Section 1 amends the education law by adding new section 669-h. Subsection one of § 669-h establishes the eligibility requirements 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 two of § 669-h provides that the awards shall be granted to applicants that the corporation has certified are eligible based on the amount of funds appropriated. Subsection three of § 669-h provides that awards shall be limited to not more than four academic years of full time undergraduate study. Subsection four of § 669-h 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 five of § 669-h provides the criteria by which the corporation shall convert the award to a student loan.

Section 2 is the effective date.

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 individuals to adequately provide volunteer fire and emergency response services has been proven very 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 allowing 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

2013-2014: S.5374

Fiscal implications

Subject to budgetary appropriation. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately.