BILL NUMBER:S7567          REVISED MEMO 05/16/2014

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to the
New York state science, technology, engineering and mathematics
incentive program

PURPOSE:

The bill will align the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM) Incentive program with other state scholarship programs,
allowing students to choose the college or university with the
academic program and approach that benefits them the most.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Provides access to science, technology, engineering and
mathematics incentive program awards to students at institutions of
higher education, as defined under section 601 of the education law.

JUSTIFICATION:

The recently passed Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Incentive Program offers the State's top 10 percent of high school
graduates full-time tuition scholarships to attend the State
University of New York (SUNY) or City University (CUNY) if they study
in STEM-related fields and commit to staying in New York State for
              

five years following graduation.

The initiative is needed as a way to fill the half-million STEM jobs
anticipated in the state by 2018. Currently, of all the bachelor's
degrees awarded in the State, just one quarter (23%) are awarded to
students pursuing STEM and related degrees.

Since the current program does not leverage all of New York's higher
education assets in bolstering our STEM-educated workforce, this bill
would ensure that program's eligibility operates similar to other
scholarship programs where the funding follows the student.

In 2011-12, the Independent Sector awarded nearly 6 in 10 (58%) of the
bachelor's degrees awarded in STEM fields in New York State. While
one-third of its bachelor's degrees earned in the United States are in
STEM fields, half (50%) of all degrees awarded in China and Japan are
in these critical areas. We are already behind and risk widening the
gap if we do not fully engage all campuses in creative efforts such as
the Incentive Program. Right now, every other scholarship program
currently in statute enables students to take their state-funded
scholarship equal in value to SUNY tuition to the New York college or
university of their choice.

Private colleges and universities are leaders in STEM education. Many
are anchor tenants in their communities. Many educate large numbers
and proportions of New York State resident students, often students
from the immediate region. Once graduated, these students fill
critical positions at engineering and technology companies in their
communities. We believe that all of New York students should be able
to benefit from the STEM Incentive Program regardless of where they
choose to attend college.


LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

The recently passed STEM Incentive program is estimated at $8 million
in year one. This bill estimates an additional $1 million would allow
resident students to attend any New York State college or university.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Immediately.