What's happening
This bill increases the maximum Tuition Assistance Program award for students at certain non-public schools and removes previous restrictions based on degree offerings.
Why it matters
Expands eligibility for the maximum Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award. to all students at non-public degree-granting institutions and non-profit business schools, regardless of whether the school offers a baccalaureate degree. This could help more students access financial aid, especially those attending schools that only offer associate degrees or certificates.
Increases the TAP award amount. from $4,000 to $5,165 for eligible students at these institutions, providing greater financial support and potentially reducing student debt or out-of-pocket costs for low- and middle-income families.
Removes previous exclusions for nursing students and degree types. , ensuring that students pursuing certificates or nursing degrees at qualifying non-public institutions are no longer barred from receiving the maximum TAP award—potentially boosting enrollment and workforce development in high-need fields.
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Who cares
Undergraduates at non-public degree-granting institutions
The bill would set the specified TAP award amount at $5,165 rather than $4,000 and apply it regardless of whether their institution offers a bachelor's degree program.
Registered nonprofit business schools
Schools qualified for federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) would fall under the $5,165 award provision regardless of whether they offer bachelor's degree programs.
Nursing students at covered institutions and schools
The bill would remove the exclusion for students pursuing nursing certificates or degrees, bringing them under this TAP award provision.
Headline styles
Expand Tuition Assistance Eligibility
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
600
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- 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 tuition assistance program award determinations for certain institutions and schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subitem (d) of item 1 of clause (A) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 667 of the education law, as added by section 1 of part E of chapter 58 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(d) For undergraduate students enrolled in a program of study at a non-public degree-granting institution [that does not offer a program of study], regardless of whether that institution offers a program that leads to a baccalaureate degree, or at a registered not-for-profit business school qualified for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code for federal income tax purposes [that does not offer a program of study], regardless of whether that school offers a program that leads to a baccalaureate degree, [four thousand] five thousand one hundred sixty-five dollars. [Provided, however, that this subitem shall not apply to students enrolled in a program of study leading to a certificate or degree in nursing.]
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05497-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Purpose
:
To allow students enrolled in associate degree programs to receive tuition assistance program awards in the same amount as students enrolled in bachelor degree programs.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. This bill amends Section 667 of the education law to allow undergraduate students enrolled in associate degree programs to receive tuition assistance program awards in the same amount as students enrolled in bachelor degree programs.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
Currently, students enrolled at an institution offering a program of study for an associate's degree are awarded $4,000 in tuition assistance program (TAP) benefits. However, students enrolled at an institution offering a program of study for a bachelor's degree are awarded $5,165 in TAP benefits. Of particular concern is that students enrolled at a 4 year school may have access to $5,165 in TAP benefits, even if they are pursuing a 2 year degree at the institution. This bill will remediate that issue by providing the same benefits to all students seeking degrees in higher education, regardless of the type of institution the student attends.
Legislative history
04/08/16 REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.