BILL NUMBER: S216
SPONSOR: HELMING
 
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.

Statutes affected:
S216: 669-e education law, 669-e(1) education law