BILL NUMBER: S27
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to tuition assistance
program awards for students experiencing homelessness
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to expand tuition assistance program
(TAP) eligibility to make it available for students experiencing home-
lessness.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the opening paragraph of item 1 of clause (A) of
subparagraph (i) of paragraph a subdivision 3 of section 667 of the
Education Law to include homeless students in Title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 and Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as
amended.
Section 2 adds a new subdivision 8 to Section 661 of the Education Law
that requires the HESC President to implement rules and regulations for
a verification system that will review students' status as homeless to
be used for authorizing TAP awards.
Section 3 amends subdivision 4 of section 663 of the education law to
add the Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as a reason for emancipa-
tion and making the homeless eligible.
Section 4 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Since 2009, student homelessness has been on a rise. Through this bill,
we hope to alleviate some of the concerns that homeless students face
when trying to apply for financial aid. We must ensure that all our
students, no matter their situation, have access to the tuition assist-
ance programs that have aided tens of thousands of students in their
pursuit of higher education. Homelessness is a major life hurdle, let's
make it easier for students trying to overcome its impact and have a
decent life.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.5456 - Referred to Higher Education/A.4465 - Referred to
Higher Education
2021-2022: S.6873 - Referred to Higher Education/A.8520 - Referred to
Higher Education
 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addi-
tion, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for
the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to
be made and completed on or before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S27: 661 education law, 663 education law, 663(4) education law