Bill > A05517

This bill establishes a proprietary college tuition reimbursement account to protect students enrolled in private, for-profit degree-granting colleges in New York. The bill requires these colleges to pay an annual fee based on their gross annual income, with fees ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on the institution's revenue. The collected funds will be used to provide tuition refunds to students who can demonstrate that their college has committed certain violations, such as fraudulent statements, regulatory violations, or criminal actions by college leadership. Students can file complaints within six years of an alleged violation and must first attempt to resolve issues directly with the college. The bill creates a detailed process for students to seek refunds, including requirements to show they've attempted to discharge federal student loans and provide specific information about their program. The account will be managed by the state comptroller, with provisions to suspend fees if the account balance exceeds $3 million and to use funds for purposes like securing student transcripts from closed colleges. The commissioner of education will investigate complaints and has the authority to take actions such as referring cases to the attorney general or publishing findings on a public website. The bill aims to provide additional consumer protection for students attending proprietary degree-granting colleges.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5517