What's happening
The bill allows disabled students in New York to extend the duration of their financial aid awards up to six years.
Why it matters
Addresses equity for disabled students. By letting disabled students access financial aid for up to six years, the bill recognizes that disabilities may require a slower pace to complete degree programs, promoting fairer access to higher education.
Reduces pressure and uncertainty. Disabled students are no longer forced to meet a standard timeline for graduation to retain aid, reducing stress and the risk of losing financial support due to circumstances beyond their control.
Adds accountability and oversight. The extension isn’t automatic—students must show that their disability actually prevented timely completion to qualify, ensuring the provision is used as intended and not abused.
Empowers state education authorities. The bill gives the education commissioner clear authority to set rules and guidance, helping schools and students navigate the new process efficiently and fairly.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Extend Aid for Disabled Students
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Committee discharged and committed to higher education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
130
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. CARLUCCI, SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to disabled students seeking to increase duration limits for student financial aid awards
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph g of subdivision 4 of section 661 of the education law, as amended by section 1 of part Z of chapter 58 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
g. For students who are disabled as defined by the Americans With [Disability] Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USC 12101, the full-time attendance requirement is eliminated and the duration limit, as provided in section six hundred sixty-seven of this part, may be increased up to a period not to exceed six years as approved by the commissioner. Such disabled students may be in part-time attendance, as defined by the commissioner in order to be eligible to receive payments from the president. The disabled student seeking assistance for a duration period longer than allowable by law must demonstrate to the commissioner that their disability prevented the completion of the enrolled program within the maximum award period.
§ 2. The commissioner of education shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05285-01-9
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 disabled students seeking to increase duration limits for student financial aid awards
Purpose of bill
This bill would give authority to the commissioner of education to extend student financial aid awards for disabled students
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 661 of the education law, as it relates to extending financial aid for students who are unable to gradu- ate within four years due to their disability.
Section 2 of the bill relates to authorizing the commissioner of educa- tion to promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
Section 3 of the bill relates to the effective date.
Justification
Currently, New York State financial aid is only awarded for a maximum of four years with no exceptions. A number of disabled students are unable to graduate within four years due to difficulties associated with their disability. This creates financial challenges for these students who, although have a strong desire to graduate within the four years, are prevented by their limitations.
This bill would create a process in which the commissioner of education can extend financial aid for up to six years if a disabled student can demonstrate the need. This encourages disabled students to complete their education and pursue jobs they wouldn't have been able to achieve without graduating
Legislative history
2017-18: S1171/A7613 - Passed Senate/higher education 2015-16: S5119/A5621 - Passed Senate/higher education
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after 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.