BILL NUMBER: S1287
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to eligibility for the
New York state excelsior scholarship for certain part-time applicants
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides as follows: The definition of full-time and part-time
attendance at two-year and four-year colleges operated by SUNY and CUNY
is defined as follows: The number of credits required per academic year
for four-year schools is reduced to 24 credits from 30 credits if
enrolled on a full-time basis or 12 credits per year on a part-time
basis. In the student's last semester, the student may take fewer cred-
its if less are needed to receive his or her degree.
Income limits are increased to $135,000 for the 2021-2022 academic year,
$150,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year, and $150,000 for the 2023-2024
academic year and thereafter. The law currently states that the tuition
to be paid for full-time students is $5,500. This section provides that
the tuition to be paid for part-time students is up to $2,750.
Full-time students will have 2 1/2 years for a two-year degree, 5 years
to obtain a four-year degree, and 6 years for a degree that normally
takes 5 years.
Part-time students will have 5 years to obtain a two-year degree, 10
years to obtain a four-year degree, and 12 years for a degree that
normally takes five years.
Should the student not receive his or her two-year, four-year, or five-
year degree for any reason, the student does not suffer any penalty with
respect to the scholarship received under the Excelsior Program.
Section 2 - This provides for an awarding of an Excelsior Scholarship
for those enrolled at least on a part-time basis at BOCES or other
approved vocational program at a SUNY or CUNY community college.
Section 3 - Effective Date. This act shall take place immediately and
will be effective beginning the 2021-2022 Academic Year.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, the Excelsior Scholarship program only covers full-time
students at SUNY or CUNY schools. This leaves out many students who, for
mostly economic reasons, are not able to attend college or training
after high school on a full-time basis. It has become common knowledge
that workers will need to retrain a number of times over their lifetime.
For most workers, it is unrealistic to go to school full-time since it
would, mean quitting their jobs. While these workers might want to go to
school full-time, their Ms will not magically go away. Part-time attend-
ance is the only practical route.
Also, many recent high school graduates cannot afford to go to school
full-time, so a part-time option Is the only practical route for them as
well
Further, many students MI need vocational training and not a two-year or
four-year degree. This bill provides for such scholarships at two-year
colleges in the SUNY or CUNY system as well as BOCES.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: S5821 HIGHER EDUCATION / A7486 - Referred to Higher Education
01/05/22 - S4091A Referred to Higher Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined with respect to the. State. This bill will help many
counties and the City of New York whose community colleges are facing
financial difficulties due to declining enrollments.
Counties and the City of New York will benefit from increased enrollment
In their community colleges since the Excelsior Scholarship will be
offered to students who need more than two years to obtain their two-
year degree. This bill will expand the affordability of college.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take place immediately and will be effective beginning
the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Statutes affected:
S1287: 669-h education law, 669-h(4) education law