What's happening
This bill creates the Adult Student Grant Program to provide financial aid to adults returning to college or seeking career training in New York.
Why it matters
Targets adult learners. The program specifically supports adults who are returning to college or pursuing career education, a group often excluded from traditional student aid, potentially helping working parents, career changers, and those who previously left school.
Eligibility and prioritization. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA, attend a New York college part-time (minimum three semester hours), and show financial need, with priority given to those who need the money most—making the aid more targeted and efficient.
Flexible residency rules for military families. While New York residency is generally required, the bill waives this for active-duty military members and their families stationed in New York, expanding access to those serving the country.
Limited but renewable financial support. Grants can provide up to $1,500 per year and a maximum of $6,000 total per recipient, offering meaningful assistance but encouraging students to complete programs efficiently. This structure also helps manage state costs and program sustainability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Grant Aid for Adult Students
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
11 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
970
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SIMON, LUPARDO, OTIS, LUPINACCI, SEAWRIGHT, GOTT- FRIED, CRESPO, JAFFEE, CAHILL, RA, BLAKE, WALKER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, ENGLEBRIGHT, HOOPER, SEPULVEDA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating the adult student grant program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 669-h to read as follows:
§ 669-h. The adult student grant program. 1. Purpose. The adult student grant program is hereby created to provide financial aid grants to adults returning to college or seeking career education and training.
2. Definitions. a. "Good academic standing" for the purposes of this section means retaining a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or the equivalent.
b. "Participating institution" for the purposes of this section means any institution of higher education that is included in the University of the State of New York as enumerated in section two hundred fourteen of this title.
c. "Cost of attendance" shall mean tuition, required fees, laboratory and other instruction related to expenses, books, transportation, and room and board.
3. Eligibility. The adult student grant program shall be available to those persons:
a. who are (i) a citizen of the United States, or (ii) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, or (iii) an individual of a class of refugees paroled by the attorney general of the United States under his or her parole authority pertaining to the admission of aliens to the United States;
b. who remain in good academic standing;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00973-01-7
A. 970 2
c. who attend a participating institution for at least three semester hours;
d. who are not eligible for awards under sections six hundred sixtysix, six hundred sixty-seven, or six hundred sixty-seven-c of this part; and
e. who have been either a legal resident of the state for at least one year immediately preceding the beginning of the semester, quarter or term of attendance for which application for the adult student grant program is made. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, the New York state residency eligibility requirement for this program is waived for a member, or the spouse or dependent of a member, of the armed forces of the United States on full-time active duty and stationed in this state.
4. Grants. The annual adult student grants shall be for an amount up to one thousand five hundred dollars or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. In no event shall the amount of the annual grant exceed the recipient's cost of attendance at the institution attended. The corporation shall provide such grants within the amounts appropriated for such purpose and based on the availability of funds. A recipient shall receive no more than six thousand dollars in adult student grants.
5. Priority. Priority will be given to applicants that demonstrate financial need as determined by the corporation.
6. Rules. The corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, and may promulgate emergency regulations, for the necessary implementation of the provisions of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.