Bill > A03879

This bill amends the New York State Education Law to expand the state tuition assistance program (TAP) to explicitly include graduate programs. Specifically, the bill modifies several sections of the existing law to allow graduate students to be eligible for tuition assistance, including provisions that previously only referenced undergraduate students. The changes include allowing graduate students to qualify for awards based on similar criteria as undergraduates, such as age and income exclusion parameters. The bill establishes that graduate students can receive tuition assistance for up to four academic years and limits graduate students to assistance for only one degree program at the master's, first professional, or doctorate level. Additionally, the bill sets an overall maximum of eight years of combined undergraduate and graduate study for which a student can receive tuition assistance. The modifications use gender-neutral language (changing "his" to "their") and aim to create more comprehensive and inclusive tuition support for students pursuing higher education across different academic levels.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3879