Establishes tuition awards for members of the reserve armed forces of the United States

2 Co-sponsors

• Rich Funke
• Catharine Young

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law and the state finance law, in relation to tuition awards for active members of the reserve armed forces of the United States and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

To encourage participation in the reserve armed forces of the United States by New York residents through offering undergraduate tuition awards to active reserve members.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends the education law by adding a new Section 669-h to establish a tuition awards program for active members of the reserve armed forces of the United States. Active members of the U.S. armed forces who are state residents, as specified by section 669-c, who do not currently possess a baccalaureate degree would be eligible for the tuition awards program.

Section 2 amends the education law by adding a new subdivision 13 to section 604 to include the tuition award program among the general student financial aid awards available to New York residents.

Section 3 amends the state finance law by adding a new section 91-g to create a tuition award account for the receipt and disbursement of tuition award funds.

Section 4 directs the division of military and naval affairs to make annual reports of program operation.

Section 5 provides for an effective date and a date of expiration for this legislation.

Justification

Citizen soldiers serve an essential role in protecting American freedom. Participation in reserve programs should be encouraged and rewarded. Educational incentives are ideal for both purposes in providing longterm benefits to both the individual and the State.

Legislative history

S.3845A of 1997/1998; Referred to Veterans and Military Affairs Committee S.4410 of 2003/2004; Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee S.1161-A of 2005/2006; Amended and recommitted to Education Committee. S.956 of 2007/2008; Referred to Senate Education Committee S.2154 of 2009/2010; Referred to Higher Education Committee S.218/A5135 of 2011/2012; Referred to Higher Education Committee S.1099/A.4369 of 2014/2014; Referred to Higher Education Committee

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law and shall expire and be deemed repealed five years after such date.