What's happening
This bill creates a program allowing New York residents to attend SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges tuition-free if they meet certain requirements, including residing in New York for five years after graduation.
Why it matters
Retention Incentive for New York State. The requirement that students reside in New York for five years after graduating aims to keep educated workers in the state, potentially boosting the local economy and addressing “brain drain” where graduates leave for opportunities elsewhere.
Conditional Forgiveness Structure. If program participants fail to meet requirements (such as the residency commitment or timely degree completion), their tuition benefit is retroactively converted into a student loan with interest, making the program high-stakes and requiring careful planning by students.
Phased Rollout and Financial Impact. The program starts with community colleges for the first two years before expanding to all SUNY and CUNY schools, allowing for gradual implementation and potentially lower initial costs to the state as it scales up.
Exclusions and Financial Realities. While tuition is covered, students must still pay for housing, fees, and other non-tuition expenses, and must apply for existing tuition assistance first—meaning the program may not fully eliminate financial barriers for lower-income students, but it does reduce the largest single cost.
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Who cares
SUNY, CUNY and community college students eligible for resident tuition
They could receive tuition-free attendance but would have to meet degree-completion requirements and commit to five years of New York residency or risk conversion of the benefit into a loan with interest.
Community colleges and their local sponsors
Community colleges would be covered first during the program’s initial two years, with additional state aid equal to tuition awarded to qualifying participants.
SUNY and CUNY trustees
They would administer applications, set degree-completion periods within the bill’s limits and convert tuition benefits into loans when participants fail to meet requirements.
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
It would determine loan amounts and repayment schedules and could establish hardship waivers or suspensions of financial obligations.
Headline styles
Free College Tuition Statewide
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Print number 1725a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- 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.
Free College for New Yorkers
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Richard Gottfried
Full text
5 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1725--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 16, 2019
Introduced by Sens. SKOUFIS, BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting "Tuition-Free NY"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Tuition-Free NY".
§ 2. Paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subparagraph 1-a to read as follows:
(1-a) The trustees shall implement a program to permit any student who has been admitted to a state-operated institution of the state university to attend without the payment of tuition and fees if such student fulfills the requirements of such program pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph. The provisions of this subparagraph shall only apply to costs of one undergraduate degree and any additional costs associated with more than one simultaneous undergraduate degree shall not be covered by this program.
(i) The trustees shall provide an application process and administer the program according to the following criteria:
(A) Any student eligible for resident tuition rates is eligible for this program.
(B) A student shall be required to sign a contract agreeing to reside in New York state for a period of five years subsequent to completion of his or her academic program.
(C) Students shall be required to complete their degree program within a minimum period of time to be set by the trustees which shall be no less than three years and no more than five years.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07320-02-9
S. 1725--A 2
(D) A student who benefited from the program outlined in this subparagraph shall be allowed to attend an out-of-state graduate school without any penalty if such student pursues a graduate degree. Once such student concludes his or her graduate school studies, such student shall return to New York within one year for residency, per the program's requirements, or else the undergraduate benefit will turn into a student loan pursuant to the provisions of clause (ii) of this subparagraph.
(E) A student who benefited from the program outlined in this subparagraph who is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States shall not be penalized if such student maintains his or her legal residence in the state of New York, during such service. "Legal residence" as used in this subclause shall mean the place where a member of the military intends to return and live after discharge or retirement, and which they consider their permanent home. Legal residency shall be determined by what local and state tax laws a member of the military is subject to, and in which state they may vote.
(ii) If a student or former student fails to fulfill any of the requirements set forth in clause (i) of this subparagraph, the trustees shall convert to a student loan the full amount of the tuition which would have been paid by such student, as determined by the New York state higher education services corporation, plus interest, according to a schedule to be determined by such corporation. Such repayment may also be required if a recipient fails to respond to requests for information necessary to determine continued eligibility or for administration of the program. The terms and conditions of this clause shall be deferred for students who enroll on at least a half-time basis in an approved undergraduate, graduate or higher degree program or other professional licensure degree program until they are conferred a degree, and shall also be deferred for any interruption in undergraduate study as established by the rules and regulations of the corporation. The terms and conditions of this clause may also be deferred for a grace period, to be established by the corporation, following the completion of an approved undergraduate program or a graduate or higher degree program or other professional licensure degree program. Notwithstanding any provisions of this clause to the contrary, the corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to provide for the waiver or suspension of any financial obligation which would involve extreme hardship.
(iii) Any student who elects to participate in the program under this subparagraph shall be required to apply for tuition assistance program funding. Funds awarded on the tuition assistance program shall be applied towards the cost of tuition prior to an award under this subparagraph.
(iv) Students shall be responsible for all other costs including housing, fees and other non-tuition related charges.
(v) (A) This program shall not apply in academic years commencing on or before the effective date of this subparagraph. (B) For the first two years after the effective date of this subparagraph, this program shall only apply to students attending community colleges as defined by subdivision two of section sixty-three hundred one of this chapter. (C) In all other years, this program shall apply to all students attending SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges of the state.
§ 3. Subdivision 7 of section 6206 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph (f) to read as follows:
(f) The trustees shall implement a program to permit any student who has been admitted to an institution operated by the city university to
S. 1725--A 3
attend without the payment of tuition and fees if such student fulfills the requirements of such program pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.
(i) The trustees shall provide an application process and administer the program according to the following criteria:
(A) Any student eligible for resident tuition rates is eligible for this program.
(B) A student shall be required to sign a contract agreeing to reside in New York state for a period of five years subsequent to completion of his or her academic program.
(C) Students shall be required to complete their degree program within a minimum period of time to be set by the trustees which shall be no less than three years and no more than five years.
(D) A student who benefited from the program outlined in this paragraph shall be allowed to attend an out-of-state graduate school without any penalty if such student pursues a graduate degree. Once such student concludes his or her graduate school studies, such student shall return to New York within one year for residency per the program's requirements, or else the undergraduate benefit will turn into a student loan pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.
(E) A student who benefited from the program outlined in this paragraph who is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States shall not be penalized if such student maintains his or her legal residence in the state of New York, during such service. "Legal residence" as used in this clause shall mean the place where a member of the military intends to return and live after discharge or retirement, and which they consider their permanent home. Legal residency shall be determined by what local and state tax laws a member of the military is subject to, and in which state they may vote.
(ii) If a student or former student fails to fulfill any of the requirements set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the trustees shall convert to a student loan the full amount of the tuition which would have been paid by such student, as determined by the New York state higher education services corporation, plus interest, according to a schedule to be determined by such corporation. Such repayment may also be required if a recipient fails to respond to requests for information necessary to determine continued eligibility or for administration of the program. The terms and conditions of this clause shall be deferred for students who enroll on at least a half-time basis in an approved undergraduate, graduate or higher degree program or other professional licensure degree program until they are conferred a degree, and shall also be deferred for any interruption in undergraduate study as established by the rules and regulations of the corporation. The terms and conditions of this clause may also be deferred for a grace period, to be established by the corporation, following the completion of an approved undergraduate program or a graduate or higher degree program or other professional licensure degree program. Notwithstanding any provisions of this clause to the contrary, the corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to provide for the waiver or suspension of any financial obligation which would involve extreme hardship.
(iii) Any student who elects to participate in the program under this paragraph shall be required to apply for tuition assistance program funding. Funds awarded on the tuition assistance program shall be applied towards the cost of tuition prior to an award under this subparagraph.
S. 1725--A 4
(iv) Students shall be responsible for all other costs including housing, fees and other non-tuition related charges.
(v) The provisions of this subdivision shall not be subject to taxation.
(vi) (A) This program shall not apply in academic years commencing on or before the effective date of this paragraph. (B) For the first two years after the effective date of this paragraph, this program shall only apply to students attending community colleges as defined by subdivision two of section sixty-three hundred one of this title. (C) In all other years, this program shall apply to all students attending SUNY, CUNY and community colleges of the state.
§ 4. Subdivision 1 of section 6304 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph e to read as follows:
e. The trustees, sponsors or other governing body of a community college shall implement a program to permit any student who has been admitted to such community college to attend without the payment of tuition and fees if such student fulfills the requirements of such program pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.
(i) The trustees shall provide an application process and administer the program according to the following criteria:
(A) Any student eligible for resident tuition rates is eligible for this program.
(B) A student shall be required to sign a contract agreeing to reside in New York state for a period of five years subsequent to completion of his or her academic program.
(C) Students shall be required to complete their degree program within a minimum period of time to be set by the trustees which shall be no less than one year and no more than three years.
(D) A student who benefited from the program outlined in this subparagraph shall be allowed to attend an out-of-state graduate school without any penalty if such student pursues a graduate degree. Once such student concludes his or her graduate school studies, such student shall return to New York within one year for residency per the program's requirements, or else the undergraduate benefit will turn into a student loan pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.
(E) A student who benefited from the program outlined in this paragraph who is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States shall not be penalized if such student maintains his or her legal residence in the state of New York, during such service. "Legal residence" as used in this clause shall mean the place where a member of the military intends to return and live after discharge or retirement, and which they consider their permanent home. Legal residency shall be determined by what local and state tax laws a member of the military is subject to, and in which state they may vote.
(ii) If a student or former student fails to fulfill any of the requirements set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the trustees shall convert to a student loan the full amount of the tuition which would have been paid by such student, as determined by the New York state higher education services corporation, plus interest, according to a schedule to be determined by such corporation. Such repayment may also be required if a recipient fails to respond to requests for information necessary to determine continued eligibility or for administration of the program. The terms and conditions of this subparagraph shall be deferred for students who enroll on at least a half-time basis in an approved undergraduate, graduate or higher degree program or other professional licensure degree program until they are conferred a degree,
S. 1725--A 5
and shall also be deferred for any interruption in undergraduate study as established by the rules and regulations of the corporation. The terms and conditions of this subparagraph may also be deferred for a grace period, to be established by the corporation, following the completion of an approved undergraduate program or a graduate or higher degree program or other professional licensure degree program. Notwithstanding any provisions of this subparagraph to the contrary, the corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to provide for the waiver or suspension of any financial obligation which would involve extreme hardship.
(iii) Any student who elects to participate in the program under this paragraph shall be required to apply for tuition assistance program funding. Funds awarded on the tuition assistance program shall be applied towards the cost of tuition prior to an award under this subparagraph.
(iv) Students shall be responsible for all other costs including housing, fees and other non-tuition related charges.
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 enacting "Tuition-Free NY"
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide for free tuition at the State University of New York and City University of New York for qualifying students.
Summary of provisions
Tuition at all two-and four-year SUNY and CUNY institutions will be tuition-free including school fees should qualifying students meet a number of conditions, most notable of which are: (1) 25 hours of commu- nity service per year and (2) a New York residency.
Any student eligible for resident tuition rates is eligible for this program. Any student that fails to meet the conditions set forth in the program will have their benefit turn into a student loan.
The Tuition-free benefit will be phased in - community colleges will offer the benefit beginning in 2016 followed by all four year SUNY and CUNY colleges in 2018.
The original version of the bill included a community service require- ment which has been removed in the amended version.
Justification
Through rising higher education costs and skyrocketing student loan obligations, college has become unaffordable for some and a huge finan- cial burden for many more. Tuition-Free NY will help ensure that anyone who wants to attend a two- or four-year SUNY or CUNY institution is able to, regardless of individual or family income. Further, billions of dollars in volunteerism will be generated as well as additional state and local revenue from graduates staying in New York who would otherwise leave (e.g. sales tax, income tax, homeownership). Last, but certainly not least, graduates will have additional disposable income that would otherwise have gone to big bank lenders that will be injected into local economies.
Prior legislative history
Assembly: Skoufis: 06/02/16 - Reported and referred to Ways and Means 02/01/17 - Referred to Higher Education 01/03/18 - Referred to Higher Education
Senate: Stavisky: 01/22/16 - Amend and recommit to Higher Education 02/27/17 - Referred to Higher Education 01/03/18 - Referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications
Impact beginning on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law; provided, however, that effec- tive immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.