BILL NUMBER: S9139
SPONSOR: WEBB
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law and the state finance law, in relation
to providing free tuition to students who attend the state university of
New York
 
PURPOSE:
To provide a program for providing free tuition to undergraduate
in-state students attending the State University of New York
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 names the title of the bill.
Section 2 amends paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the
education law to require the trustees to eliminate tuition at four-year
colleges.
Section 3 amends section 667 of the education law to permit the redi-
rection of TAP funding into a new fund to cover the cost of tuition.
Section 4 adds a new subdivision 7 to section 669-h of the education law
to permit the redirection of Excelsior funding into a new fund to cover
the cost of tuition.
Section 5 amends subdivision 1 of section 6304 of the education law to
require the trustees to eliminate tuition at SUNY community colleges.
Section 6 adds a new paragraph A-1 to section 6304 the education law to
redirect funding necessary to cover the cost of community college
tuition.
Section 7 adds the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The State University of New York was founded in 1948, with the aim of
providing affordable higher education to individuals throughout the
state. However, over the years, the cost of attending SUNY has risen
substantially as state funding has decreased and tuition rates have
increased in order to cover expenses. Since 2011, public college
students have been charged nearly $4 billion more as a result of sched-
uled tuition hikes at SUNY and CUNY1. Today, over half of SUNY students
graduate in debt, with an average loan burden of nearly $30,000 2,
making it difficult for many students to afford a college degree. This
difficulty is directly reflected in declining enrollment with studies
showing that for every $100 increase in tuition, a 0.7% participation
drop should be expected and SUNY enrollment has decreased by over 80,000
students since 2012.3 Making SUNY free can attract more students to
attend, ultimately increasing enrollment and revenue for the university
system.
Over the same period of declining enrollment and increasing costs, a
college degree has become more and more essential in today's job market.
A college education can increase an individual's earning potential and
provide more employment opportunities. More than ever before, the New
York workforce requires a higher level of education to remain compet-
itive in the global economy, and our society has recognized this by
pushing for higher college enrollment rates. However, the cost of this
investment in education can be too much for students who face debt
burdens that can take decades to repay. This debt can be a significant
hindrance to students when it comes to finding employment, buying a
home, or starting a family. This burden can also discourage students
from pursuing higher education altogether. By making SUNY free, we can
alleviate this burden and make higher education more accessible to all.
In addition, making public college free for New York students can help
address the income inequality that plagues our state. Income inequality
in New York is the worst in the country', and free public colleges can
help level the playing field. Families that cannot afford to send their
children to college currently face difficult decisions about borrowing
money, delaying retirement, or forgoing necessary expenses. This only
perpetuates the cycle of poverty, keeping people from breaking out of a
lower income bracket. In 2017, the promise of tuition-free SUNY was made
when New York announced the Excelsior program, claiming that 940,000
students would be eligible.' However, due to excessively strict eligi-
bility requirements, less than 10% of that number have received the
scholarship to date.' It is time to live up to that promise. Enacting
true free tuition in New York state would allow more people from low-in-
come families to attend college and potentially improve their standard
of living.
Aside from the individual benefits, making SUNY free also has signif-
icant economic benefits. SUNY plays a crucial role in the economic and
social development of New York State. Its institutions educate about
half of the state's nurses' and over 25% of its teachers.' Additionally,
SUNY is the primary institution training the state's future leaders in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. SUNY's
research and development initiatives also contribute to the state's
economic growth, with its institutions receiving more than $1 billion in
research funding annually. By providing access to a college education
for all, New York can invest in its future workforce and promote econom-
ic growth. Graduates of SUNY often become entrepreneurs, innovators,
and leaders in their respective fields, ultimately contributing to the
New York economy. The average bachelor's degree holder contributes
$278,000 more to local economies than the average high school graduate
through direct spending over the course of a lifetime; and an associate
degree holder contributes $81,000 more than a high school graduate.' For
every $1 invested in SUNY, New York State's economy benefits the equiv-
alent of $8.17 and is responsible for nearly 2% of the gross state prod-
uct.'
In light of the Supreme Court's recent decisions on student debt relief
and affirmative action policies, the best way to ensure and even
increase opportunities for higher education among black and minority New
Yorkers is to eliminate restrictive and onerous criteria for financial
aid and simply provide free access statewide. Universal access to educa-
tion is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democracy. Educa-
tion empowers students and helps them build better lives. It is impor-
tant both for individuals and the future wellbeing of the state that all
students are given the opportunity to pursue the best education they are
capable of, regardless of their financial situation. Establishing free
tuition for in-state students has demonstrably beneficial outcomes for
the state of its residents.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately
1 https://wwvv.nypirg.org/pubs/202003/Policy_Close-Up_1_HigherEd_
Mar2020_Final.pdf
2 https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED613860.pdf
3 https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2023/03/01/ suny-
chancellor-weighs-in-on-dropping-student-enrollment--
4 https://fiscalpolicy.org/ inequality-in-new-york-options-for-
progressive- tax-reform
5 https://www.ny.gov/programs/ tuition-free-degree-program-excelsior-
scholarship
6 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/27/new-york-made-4-years-of-college-
free-heres-how-its-going.html
7 https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/3-23/3-27-23-nursing/
legislation.html
8 https://wvvvv.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_jd=220
9 www.brookings.edu/research/what-colleges-do-for-local-economies-a-
direct-measure-based-on-consumption/
10 https://rockinst.org/issue-area/theeconomic-impact-of-the-state-
university-of-new-york/

Statutes affected:
S9139: 355 education law, 355(2) education law, ninety-seven-aaaa state finance law, 669-h education law, 6304 education law, 6304(1) education law