What's happening
This bill requires all New York public colleges and universities to establish an appeals process for students denied in-state tuition, regardless of immigration status.
Why it matters
Creates a formal, transparent process for challenging in-state tuition denials. , giving students—regardless of immigration status—a clear way to contest potentially incorrect or discriminatory decisions.
Requires colleges to publicly post information on their appeals process. , making it easier for students to understand their rights and the necessary steps if they are denied in-state tuition.
Mandates specific, reasonable timelines for both filing and resolving appeals. , which could reduce uncertainty and ensure timely decisions for students planning their education and finances.
May increase accountability and consistency in tuition eligibility decisions. across SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges, potentially reducing arbitrary or uneven application of residency requirements.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Appeal Tuition Denial Decisions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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
3629
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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 establishing an appeals process for students denied the state resident tuition rate at a public college or university
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. The state university trustees shall require that each institution of the state university establish an appeals process for any student, regardless of his or her immigration status, who has been denied the state resident tuition rate for attending such institution. Each institution shall establish a reasonable time period for the filing of an appeal after a prospective student has received written notification of a denial of the state resident tuition rate and a reasonable time period for the institution to respond to such an appeal. Information on the right to such appeal and such appeals process shall be posted on the institution's website.
§ 2. Section 6206 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 19 to read as follows:
19. The board of trustees shall require that each institution of the city university establish an appeals process for any student, regardless of his or her immigration status, who has been denied the state resident tuition rate for attending such institution. Each institution shall establish a reasonable time period for the filing of an appeal after a prospective student has received written notification of a denial of the state resident tuition rate and a reasonable time period for the institution to respond to such an appeal. Information on the right to such appeal and such appeals process shall be posted on the institution's website.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00248-01-7
S. 3629 2
§ 3. Section 6306 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 11 to read as follows:
11. The board of trustees of each community college shall establish an appeals process for any student, regardless of his or her immigration status, who has been denied the state resident tuition rate for attending such community college. The board of trustees of each community college shall establish a reasonable time period for the filing of an appeal after a prospective student has received written notification of a denial of the state resident tuition rate and a reasonable time period for the community college to respond to such an appeal. Information on the right to such appeal and such appeals process shall be posted on the community college's website.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 establishing an appeals process for students denied the state resident tuition rate at a public college or university
Purpose or general idea of bill
To establish an appeals process for students who are denied the state resident tuition rate at any public university or college.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Establishes an appeals process for students, regardless of their immigration status, denied the state resident tuition rate in the state university system.
Section 2. Establishes an appeals process for students, regardless of their immigration status, denied the state resident tuition rate in the New York City university system.
Section 3. Establishes an appeals process for students, regardless of their immigration status, denied the state resident tuition rate in the statutory community college system.
Justification
Many immigrant high school students have lived in the state of New York most of their lives and are likely to remain residents. These students may nevertheless be precluded from obtaining an affordable college education because they do not qualify for in-state tuition rates. Because tuition costs for non-residents far exceed the cost for residents, many of these students are not able to attend college and cannot contribute as much to society as their intelligence and skills will allow.
These students have already proven their academic eligibility and merit - by being accepted by institutions of higher education. Making it possible for these students to attend college will increase the state's college-educated workforce and stimulate economic growth. The purpose of this legislation is to provide long-time residents of New York greater access to higher education, improving the overall economic conditions of the state.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.1928A/A.5900A - Referred to Higher Education 2013-14: S.2835/A.4424 - Referred to Higher Education 2011-12: S.1140/A.4023 - Referred to Higher Education 2009-10: S.1392/A.3955 - Referred to Higher Education 2007-08: S.1933/A.8109 - Referred to Higher Education 2005-06: S.2966 - Referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.