BILL NUMBER: S5653
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 - 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 credits if less are needed to
receive his or her degree.
Income limits are increased to $135,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year,
$150,000 for the 2026-2027 academic year, and $150,000 for the 2027-2028
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 effect immediately and
shall apply to any applicant beginning with the 2025-2026 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 bills will not magically go away. Part-time
attendance 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 will 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:
2023-24: S1287/ A946 - Referred to Higher Education/Referred to Higher
Education
2019-20: S5821/ A7486 - Referred to Higher Education/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 2025-2026 Academic Year.

Statutes affected:
S5653: 669-h education law, 669-h(4) education law