Bill > S00027

This bill expands the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to provide additional support for students experiencing homelessness by modifying existing education law. The bill explicitly adds "homeless" as a category alongside orphans, foster children, and wards of the court when considering student financial aid eligibility. It requires the program's president to establish a uniform method for verifying a student's homeless status, which will align with verification methods used in federal student financial aid programs like the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The legislation also clarifies that students deemed homeless under these federal standards will not be considered automatically emancipated when determining financial aid awards, but can still be evaluated under existing provisions for unusual family circumstances. By making these changes, the bill aims to provide more comprehensive support for students who lack stable housing and are pursuing higher education, ensuring they have clearer pathways to financial assistance. The bill will take effect on the first of July following its passage, with immediate authorization for creating necessary implementing regulations.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S27