Relates to community college costs associated with non-resident students

1 Co-sponsor

• Thomas Croci

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to community college costs associated with non-resident students

Purpose

To eliminate upper division charge backs.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends education law section 6305 by adding a new subdivision 2-a to provide that a community college cannot charge a county in the state for any portion of the local sponsor's share of operating costs attributable to a non-resident student if that student is enrolled in a bachelor's degree program or higher at the community college.

Section 2. Amends education law section 6305(5) to remove language that would allow counties to charge back to towns and cities for non-resident students.

Section 3. Provides that this act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

Justification

Community colleges are meant to be associate degree bearing institutions. While there are some community colleges that provide degrees beyond two year degrees, the cost of charge backs to the counties, cities and towns of the non-resident students has become onerous and burdensome because of the offerings that go beyond these two year degrees.

Past legislation has attempted to address this issue by changing the formulas for how charge backs should administered to counties. This is another alternative solution that would help stave off some of the costs associated with charge backs.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect July 1, 2016.