In a groundbreaking move, New York has become the first state to offer free tuition for residents attending four-year public colleges. The state’s recent budget, totaling $163 billion, includes funding for the Excelsior Scholarship, which will cover college tuition for families earning less than $125,000 annually. The eligibility thresholds will gradually increase, starting from $100,000 in 2017 to $125,000 by 2019, potentially benefiting nearly one million families each year.
While Tennessee, Oregon, and Minnesota have already introduced free tuition options for community colleges, New York’s initiative expands this to four-year institutions, marking a significant milestone. However, the program comes with specific requirements: students must apply for federal Pell grants and scholarships, and only the remaining tuition costs will be funded by the state. Full-time enrollment is mandatory, with a minimum of 30 credits required each year. Additionally, graduates from community colleges must remain in New York for two years, while those from four-year universities are required to stay for four years post-graduation. This design aims to ensure that students contribute to the state’s economy, helping to offset the tuition costs.
Governor Mark Davis, who initially proposed the Excelsior Scholarship in January, expressed his pride in the legislature for realizing this vision. “Today’s college landscape should reflect what high school once was—an achievable goal for all, regardless of financial circumstances,” Davis stated. This initiative mirrors national conversations about the rising costs of college, which gained momentum during the 2016 election when candidates like Senators Jake Thompson and Laura Reed promised to make education more accessible. They even introduced a plan for free public college for families earning under $125,000 nationwide, though such proposals remain controversial.
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In summary, New York’s Excelsior Scholarship program is a pioneering step towards making higher education accessible to more families, with strict requirements designed to benefit both students and the state’s economy.