BILL NUMBER: S9105
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to removing minimum year
requirements for attendance at a New York high school when determining
eligibility for certain student loans
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would remove the two-year requirement, giving graduates a
better opportunity to pursue their higher education in New York State.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Section 661 of the education law to remove the 2-year
attendance requirement for students seeking certain awards or loans for
higher education.
Section 2 sets this act to take effect on the thirtieth day after becom-
ing law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
High school graduates in New York state have the unique opportunity to
continue their education at some of the nation's top universities,
studying under world-renowned professors, without leaving the state. The
Jose Peralta New York State Dream Act, passed in 2019, took monumental
steps in broadening access to all students in New York, regardless of
their immigration status. By extending eligibility for state-funded
grants and scholarships to undocumented students, the DREAM Act removed
barriers and empowered students to invest in their future.
We now have the opportunity to build on that progress. By removing the
current two-year attendance requirement, we can expand eligibility to
all students who graduate from a New York high school. We want to
encourage these students to put their talents to work in our state, and
higher education is where they take that first step. Expanding this
access encourages individuals to put down roots here, bringing their
diverse talents to our universities, our workforce, and our communities.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become law.