What's happening
This bill provides free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition for active volunteer firefighters who meet certain requirements.
Why it matters
Incentivizes volunteer firefighting. by offering a substantial educational benefit, potentially increasing recruitment and retention in local fire departments that often struggle to attract and keep volunteers.
Requires ongoing service and academic performance. To maintain eligibility, students must remain active volunteer firefighters, complete their degree within 3-5 years, and keep at least a 2.5 GPA, ensuring both commitment to community service and academic progress.
Imposes a financial penalty for non-compliance. If a participant fails to meet the service or academic requirements, the tuition benefit is converted into a student loan with interest, creating a strong incentive to fulfill their obligations.
Leverages existing aid before state funds. Participants must apply for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), with TAP funds applied first, so this program acts as a supplemental benefit, potentially reducing the net cost to the state.
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Free Tuition for Volunteer Firefighters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Free College for Volunteer Firefighters
In Senate Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Todd Kaminsky
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2917
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing free SUNY, CUNY and community college tuition to volunteer firefighters
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subparagraph 1-a to read as follows:
(1-a) The trustees shall implement a program to permit any student who has been admitted to a state-operated institution of the state university to attend without the payment of tuition and fees if such student serves as an active volunteer firefighter as defined in subdivision one of section two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law. The provisions of this subparagraph shall only apply to costs of one undergraduate degree and any additional costs associated with more than one simultaneous undergraduate degree shall not be covered by this program.
(i) The trustees shall provide an application process and administer the program according to the following criteria:
(A) Any student eligible for resident tuition rates is eligible for this program.
(B) The student shall be required to serve as an active volunteer firefighter through the completion of his or her academic program.
(C) Students shall be required to complete their degree program within a minimum period of time to be set by the trustees which shall be no fewer than three years and no more than five years.
(D) The student shall be required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 2.5 in order to remain eligible for the program.
(ii) If a student or former student fails to fulfill any of the requirements set forth in clause (i) of this subparagraph, the trustees shall convert to a student loan the full amount of the tuition which
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04712-01-7
A. 2917 2
would have been paid by such student, as determined by the New York state higher education services corporation, plus interest, according to a schedule to be determined by such corporation. Such repayment may also be required if a recipient fails to respond to requests for information necessary to determine continued eligibility or for administration of the program.
(iii) Any student who elects to participate in the program under this subparagraph shall be required to apply for tuition assistance program funding. Funds awarded on the tuition assistance program shall be applied towards the cost of tuition prior to an award under this subparagraph.
(iv) Students shall be responsible for all other costs including housing, fees and other non-tuition related charges.
§ 2. Subdivision 7 of section 6206 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) The trustees shall implement a program to permit any student who has been admitted to an institution operated by the city university to attend without the payment of tuition and fees if such student fulfills the requirements of such program pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.
(i) The trustees shall provide an application process and administer the program according to the following criteria:
(A) Any student eligible for resident tuition rates is eligible for this program.
(B) The student shall be required to serve as an active volunteer firefighter through the completion of his or her academic program.
(C) Students shall be required to complete their degree program within a minimum period of time to be set by the trustees which shall be no fewer than three years and no more than five years.
(D) The student shall be required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 2.5 in order to remain eligible for the program.
(ii) If a student or former student fails to fulfill any of the requirements set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the trustees shall convert to a student loan the full amount of the tuition which would have been paid by such student, as determined by the New York state higher education services corporation, plus interest, according to a schedule to be determined by such corporation. Such repayment may also be required if a recipient fails to respond to requests for information necessary to determine continued eligibility or for administration of the program.
(iii) Any student who elects to participate in the program under this paragraph shall be required to apply for tuition assistance program funding. Funds awarded on the tuition assistance program shall be applied towards the cost of tuition prior to an award under this subparagraph.
(iv) Students shall be responsible for all other costs including housing, fees and other non-tuition related charges.
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 6304 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph e to read as follows:
e. The trustees, sponsors or other governing body of a community college shall implement a program to permit any student who has been admitted to such community college to attend without the payment of tuition and fees if such student fulfills the requirements of such program pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.
A. 2917 3
(i) The trustees shall provide an application process and administer the program according to the following criteria:
(A) Any student eligible for resident tuition rates is eligible for this program.
(B) The student shall be required to serve as an active volunteer firefighter through the completion of his or her academic program.
(C) Students shall be required to complete their degree program within a minimum period of time to be set by the trustees which shall be no fewer than three years and no more than five years.
(D) The student shall be required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 2.5 in order to remain eligible for the program.
(ii) If a student or former student fails to fulfill any of the requirements set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the trustees shall convert to a student loan the full amount of the tuition which would have been paid by such student, as determined by the New York state higher education services corporation, plus interest, according to a schedule to be determined by such corporation. Such repayment may also be required if a recipient fails to respond to requests for information necessary to determine continued eligibility or for administration of the program.
(iii) Any student who elects to participate in the program under this paragraph shall be required to apply for tuition assistance program funding. Funds awarded on the tuition assistance program shall be applied towards the cost of tuition prior to an award under this subparagraph.
(iv) Students shall be responsible for all other costs including housing, fees and other non-tuition related charges.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
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