Bill > A06641

This bill establishes an emergency aid grant matching program to provide financial assistance to students at State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) campuses who are experiencing unexpected financial hardships. The program allows campuses to provide emergency aid grants up to $1,250 per student, with the state corporation matching these funds up to a total of $62,500 per campus annually. These grants can be used for essential expenses like groceries, clothing, housing, course materials, technology, transportation, medical expenses, and child care, but cannot be used to pay tuition, fees, or student loans. Campuses must apply for the matching funds and can establish their own eligibility requirements, subject to the corporation's guidelines. Recipients of these grants will not have the aid counted as income for financial aid calculations, and participating campuses must submit annual reports detailing the number of students aided, average grant amount, and student retention or graduation rates. The goal is to provide immediate financial support to students facing unforeseen challenges that could otherwise disrupt their educational progress.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6641