What's happening
This bill expands tuition benefits for New York state militia members to include certain independent study programs at Excelsior College.
Why it matters
Broader access to flexible education. By including independent study programs at Excelsior College, the bill allows New York state militia members to pursue degrees through less traditional, more flexible learning formats, which can better accommodate their unpredictable schedules and service commitments.
Expanded definition of covered tuition costs. The legislation specifically adds enrollment, examination, and advisement/enrollment service charges for Excelsior College’s independent study programs to the definition of “tuition,” potentially lowering out-of-pocket costs for eligible militia members compared to previous policy.
Potential to improve recruitment and retention. Enhancing educational benefits may make service in the state’s organized militia more attractive, helping with both recruitment of new members and retention of current ones, who may now see greater personal and professional value in their service.
Sets precedent for future education benefit expansions. By specifically naming an institution and a type of study program, this bill could pave the way for further expansions of education benefits to other online or non-traditional programs, reflecting changing norms in higher education.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Guard Education Benefits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2800
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BRESLIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to tuition benefits for members of the New York state organized militia
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 669-b of the education law, as added by chapter 268 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
c. The term "tuition" shall mean the total semester, quarter, or classroom hour cost of instruction to the student as periodically published in the catalogue of the institution, specifically excluding mandatory fees, book charges, and room and board, except that tuition for independent study programs offered by Excelsior College and approved by the regents of The University of the State of New York shall be construed as including charges for enrollment, examinations, and advisement and enrollment services.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 669-b of the education law, as added by chapter 268 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special, or local law, rule, or regulation, any active member who has successfully completed advanced individual training or commissioning and other requirements of the division of military and naval affairs for tuition benefit eligibility shall be entitled to the tuition benefit provided by this section upon his or her enrollment in a degree producing curriculum in any institution, or, in the case of an independent study program approved by the regents of The University of the State of New York, enrollment in Excelsior College for the purpose of earning credit for independent study toward a degree offered by the institution.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07539-01-7
S. 2800 2
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to section 669-b of the education law made by sections one and two of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed to be repealed therewith.
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 tuition benefits for members of the New York state organized militia
Purpose or general idea of bill
Enables certain members of the New York National Guard to be eligible to receive benefits under the Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program.
Summary of specific provisions
Amends paragraph c of subdivision 2 and subdivision 3 of Section 669-b of the Education Law. This legislation would allow for independent study programs approved by the Regents of the State of New York at Excelsior College to be included as tuition benefits under the Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program.
Justification
Currently Section 669-b of the Education Law predicates that benefits payable under the Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program are for "tuition" costs incurred. This precludes participation in the program by independent study programs at Excelsior College.
Traditional higher education institutions operate by offering "instruction" and charging "tuition" for their services. Independent study programs, however, such as Excelsior college, review the college level work completed by a given student and advise the student what additional course work is required in order to earn the desired college degree. Student payments for these various services are accessed as "fees" rather than "tuition".
This legislation would allow members of the New York National Guard who enroll in Excelsior college the benefits of the Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program.
Prior legislative history
2013-2014: S.1150 Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee 2011-2012: A.896/S.1161 Remained in the Committees of Higher Education 2009-2010: A.1034/S.400 Remained in the Committees of Higher Education 2007-2008: A.6443/S.3632 Remained in the Committees of Higher Education 2005-2006: A.1394/S.709 Remained in the Committees of Higher Education 2003-2004: A.2734/S.1242 Remained in the Committees of Higher Education 2001-2002: A.9038A/S.5458A Remined in the Committees of Higher Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.