Establishes the community college merit and mobility scholarship

1 Co-sponsor

• Michael H. Ranzenhofer

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the community college merit and mobility scholarship

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would provide students who graduated within the top twenty percent of their New York State high school class with a $1,000 yearly scholarship if they choose to attend a New York State community college.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends the education law by adding a new section 699-h, which establishes the Community College Merit and Mobility Scholarship. Students eligible for this scholarship must attend a New York State community college and have graduated within the top twenty percent of their high school class. The award shall be $1,000 annually for up to two years. Up to 1,000 scholarships will be awarded to new students annually.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

Justification

Community colleges in New York State offer a wide variety of learning opportunities ranging from transfer and career degrees to programs customized to serve specific individual, community, business and economic needs. Each New York community college is unique in the types of programs and degrees offered to its students.

This scholarship provides an incentive for New York's brightest students to take advantage of what New York community colleges have to offer. This bill provides financial assistance to encourage students to consider programs not only at their local community colleges, but community colleges across the state.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Up to $2 million when fully annualized.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall become law.