What's happening
This bill expands eligibility for the NYS STEM Incentive Program by allowing more ways to qualify as a New York high school graduate.
Why it matters
Broadens access. by allowing students who are New York State residents—but did not attend a traditional NY high school—to qualify for the STEM Incentive Program (e.g., those with a GED, other recognized equivalents, or who pass a federally approved “ability to benefit” test).
Promotes educational equity. by including alternative pathways for non-traditional students, homeschool graduates, immigrants, or individuals who completed high school outside the conventional system, potentially increasing diversity in STEM fields.
Aligns eligibility with modern realities. , recognizing that not all promising STEM students follow a standard educational path, which could help meet workforce needs in STEM industries by tapping into a wider talent pool.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand STEM Scholarship Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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
216
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- 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 the New York state science, technology, engineering and mathematics incentive program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 669-e of the education law, as amended by chapter 329 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
1. Undergraduate students who are matriculated in an approved undergraduate program leading to a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics at a New York state public institution of higher education for the purpose of subdivision two of this section, or a New York state private degree granting institution of higher education for the purpose of subdivision two-a of this section, shall be eligible for an award under this section, provided the applicant: (a) [graduates from a high school located in New York state during or after the two thousand thirteen--fourteen school year] is a resident of New York state; and (b) has a certificate of graduation from a recognized high school within New York state from the two thousand thirteen--fourteen school year or after, or the recognized equivalent of such certificate, or received a passing score on a federally approved ability to benefit test that has been identified by the board of regents as satisfying the eligibility requirements of this section and has been independently administered and evaluated as defined by the commissioner; and [(b)] (c) graduates within the top ten percent of [his or her] their high school class or the recognized equivalent, as defined by the commissioner; and [(c)] (d) enrolls in full-time study each term beginning in the fall term after [his or her] high school graduation in an approved undergraduate program in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, as defined by the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00569-01-5
corporation, at a New York state institution of higher education; and [(d)] (e) signs a contract with the corporation agreeing that [his or her] such award will be converted to a student loan in the event the student fails to comply with the terms of this program as set forth in subdivision four of this section; and [(e)] (f) complies with the applicable provisions of this article and all requirements promulgated by the corporation for the administration of the program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 the New York state science, technology, engineering and mathematics incentive program
Purpose
This legislation would allow students who are homeschooled to be eligi- ble for a STEM award.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends the Education Law to allow for a resident of New York State and who has a certificate of graduation from a recognized high school within New York State from the 20132014 school year or after, or the recognized equivalent of such certificate, or received a federally approved ability to benefit test that the Board of Regents has identi- fied as satisfying the eligibility requirements to be eligible for a STEM award.
Section 2: Establishes an effective date.
Justification
Currently, students who are interested in science, technology, engineer- ing and mathematics (STEM) incentive programs need to be New York state residents and reside in New York State for 12 months prior to enroll- ment, be a U.S. citizen, a recent high school graduate, and be in the top 10% of their high school class. This bill would allow students who were homeschooled and have a recognized equivalent of a high school degree and satisfy eligibility through a federally approved ability to benefit test, be allowed to qualify for an award.
Legislative history
2023-2024: S.4462 referred to Higher Education
2021-2022: S.2600 referred to Higher Education
2019-2020: S.4727 referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.