BILL NUMBER:  S2701

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the duration of
tuition assistance awards


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
The purpose of this bill is to extend the duration of tuition
assistance awards to five years. Present laws provide for
undergraduate students to generally receive tuition assistance
payments (TAP) for four years of study. Students who are enrolled in
certain approved 5-year undergraduate programs may receive 5 years of
TAP assistance.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
Section 1 of this measure amends Section 604 of the education law by
adding a new subdivision 1-a providing that TAP aid be available to
students enrolled in approved programs for 5 academic years in the
aggregate.

 JUSTIFICATION :
New York State funds two programs which provide needbased aid to all
eligible higher education students: the Tuition Assistance Program
(TAP), a state-operated financial aid program for State residents
attending approved postsecondary institutions in New York, and the
              

Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) providing up to one
additional year of aid for educationally disadvantaged students
enrolled in remedial courses. STAP awards are determined in the same
manner as TAP awards.

It is a given fact that the Legislature has a history of endeavoring
to maintain a balanced relationship between the independent and public
sector's of higher education. This has been coupled with a desire to
make resources available for providing students with the maximum
access in all sectors of higher education.

In past year's, eligibility levels were increased, along with the
maximum awards available to students attending New York's colleges.
However, there has been no effort to increase the number of years of
eligibility for these very same students.

New factors have evolved during this time, including the lack of class
availability for those students who hope to graduate within the
"normal" four year period. Subsequently, many students have been
forced to attend college for up to five years to obtain their
undergraduate degree.

Many students who need to work to support themselves are also forced
to reduce their coursework, also prolonging their college years. New
York needs to factor these circumstances into the equation when
allocating TAP assistance.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2005-06, A.6658,
2003-2004 A.1536, Same as Bill A.4797/S.2237 (2001-2002)
2008 - S.7101

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.