What's happening
This bill ensures World Trade Center memorial scholarship recipients are not required to apply for on-campus housing to receive full non-tuition benefits, with exceptions if they live with close family nearby.
Why it matters
Prevents institutions from requiring scholarship recipients to apply for on-campus housing in order to get full non-tuition benefits. , making it easier for recipients to choose their living arrangements without financial penalty.
Protects students’ non-tuition benefits even if they live off-campus. , unless they live with close family members nearby or in family-owned housing, ensuring fairness while minimizing potential misuse.
Reduces administrative and emotional burdens on families affected by 9/11. , by removing unnecessary housing application steps and allowing more flexibility in living situations.
Aligns housing allowances more closely with actual student needs and circumstances. , potentially resulting in a more equitable distribution of state aid and better support for recipients’ well-being.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Housing Aid Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 42
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.967
- Referred to higher education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–0
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.296
- 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.
Protect WTC Scholarship Housing
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Kevin Cahill
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1031
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BONACIC -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to World trade center memorial scholarships
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 4 of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 668-d of the education law, as added by chapter 176 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
(4) "Non-tuition cost of attendance", as used in this subdivision, shall mean: (i) the actual amount charged by the institution for room and board, and (ii) an allowance for transportation, books and supplies as determined by the president and as approved by the director of the budget, provided that such determination shall be made no later than December first of each year for use in the succeeding academic year. In the event a student does not incur room or board charges at the institution, "non-tuition cost of attendance" shall mean an allowance for room and board as determined by the president and approved by the director of the budget. A student shall not be required, as a condition of receiving the non-tuition cost of attendance, to apply for on-campus housing, nor shall the amount of non-tuition cost of attendance decrease because the student does not apply for or receive on-campus housing; provided, however that the amount of non-tuition cost of attendance may be decreased for a student who does not live in on-campus housing if such student's parent or parents reside within reasonable commuting distance, or if their off-campus residence is owned in whole or in part by a direct relation including a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or cousin. In determining allowances pursuant to this subparagraph, the president may take into consideration the allowances provided for in the Pell grant program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01317-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to World trade center memorial scholarships
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide that a student shall not have the non-tuition cost of attendance part of their scholarship award be decreased or eliminated due to the student opting not to live on campus.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends subparagraph 4 of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 668-d of the Education Law, to provide that a student shall not have the non-tuition cost of attendance part of their scholarship award be decreased or eliminated due to the student opting not to apply for on-campus housing (provided that the student's parent(s) do not reside within reasonable commuting distance, and their off-campus residence is not owned in whole or in part by a direct relation including a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or cousin).
Section 2: Effective date.
Justification
Currently students who receive the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship; Memorial scholarships for children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers, and emergency service workers; Military enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships; American Airlines flight 587 memorial scholarships; and Continental Airlines flight 3407 memorial scholarships are required to apply for on-campus housing in order to qualify for the full non-tuition cost of attendance award. If they do not and choose to live off-campus, they are considered "commuter students" and their award is reduced by as much as $5,400 per year even though off-campus living expenses may be higher than those for on-campus.
Legislative history
S.1370 of 2016: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Higher Education S.1370 of 2015: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Higher Education S.1886 of 2014: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Higher Education S.1876 of 2013: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Higher Education S.4879 of 2012: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Higher Education S.4879 of 2011: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Higher Education
Fiscal implications
Minimal to State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.