Select Region
Let's Get Social!


Gov. Cuomo Proposes Initiative to Make College Tuition-Free for New Yorkers

Gov. Cuomo Proposes Initiative to Make College Tuition-Free for New Yorkers


Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to make school tuition-free for qualifying students at public colleges in New York.
 

On Jan. 3, Cuomo shared his proposal at LaGuardia Community College in Queens alongside U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, who has been a proponent for free tuition and campaigned for it in the 2016 presidential race, according to a press release.

The plan is called the Excelsior Scholarship and would be geared toward families with an income of $125,000 or less—approximately 940,000 New York households. Students will have to be enrolled full-time at a two- or four-year public college. If successful, it will first be introduced in fall 2017 and will be phased over three years, beginning with families making $100,000, then increasing to $110,000 in 2018 and $125,000 in 2019. 

"It's incredibly hard and getting harder to get a college education today. It's incredibly expensive and debt is so high it's like starting a race with an anchor tied to your leg," Cuomo said, according to CNN.



In 2015, the average student loan debt in New York was $29,320. The average annual tuition for a bachelor’s degree at a SUNY and CUNY school ranges from $6,330-$6,470, and tuition for an associate’s degree is between $4,350-$4,800.

The entire plan is expected to cost $163 million per year once it is fully implemented.

 

RELATED:

Parents of New York City Kindergarten Students Will Receive Money to Save for College

More Education Resources


More News Articles:

What Is Open in NYC on Christmas Day?

Christmas day is a wonderful time to explore the attractions of the New York City area. Here's what is open in NYC on Christmas day this year.


Latest News:

LuminoCity Festival of Holiday Lights Returns for 2022

LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival has returned for the 2022 season and will be on display through Jan. 9, 2023.


Family Activities:



Have a Laugh:

Best Memes of the Week for Parents

Here are the funniest parenting memes from Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit this week.
Samantha Neudorf

Author: Samantha Neudorf is a former editor at NYMetroParents. See More

Featured Listings:

Lindgren Nursery School and Camp (The)

Lindgren Nursery School and Camp (The)

Closter, NJ At Lindgren Nursery School it is our mission to engage young children in direct and meaningful experiences with the natural world and other people. We...

Winston Preparatory Connecticut

Winston Preparatory Connecticut

Norwalk, CT Winston Preparatory Connecticut is a leading school for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and nonverbal learning disorders...

Friends Academy

Friends Academy

Locust Valley, NY Strong Minds, Kind Hearts. Friends Academy is a premier private school committed to the guiding principles of Peace, Integrity, Community Equality and...

Mandarin Discovery School

Mandarin Discovery School

Mandarin Discovery Preschool program is an immersive and creative program for children 3 to 5 years old. Children learn Mandarin with musical instrum...