NY State Senate Bill 2015-S6598A

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Apr 07, 2016	print number 6598a
Apr 07, 2016	amend and recommit to finance
Jan 29, 2016	referred to finance

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

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2015-S6598 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9254
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Appropriations
Laws Affected:: Add Art 126 §6311, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S2020, A929
2019-2020: S2114, A2997
2021-2022: S3251
2023-2024: S1840

2015-S6598 - Summary

Relates to the establishment of the New York state promise program for community college courses; makes an appropriation therefor.

2015-S6598 - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S6598

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
the establishment of the New York promise program for community
colleges; and making an appropriation therefor

 PURPOSE :

To provide a waiver of tuition for community college courses to
persons who meet certain criteria.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends article 126 of the education law by adding a new
section 6311 providing there is established the New York Promise
Program for community colleges. The Department of Education shall
provide a waiver of tuition for community college courses, in the form
of a grant, to a person who meets the following criteria:

-Enrolled in courses offered at a community college in this state,
determined to be required for the completion of a one-year curriculum
for students who plan to transfer to another postsecondary institution
of education, or an associate's degree or a program in career and
technical education.

-New York resident for at least twelve months prior to enrolling in

the community college courses.

-Attained their highest level of education in New York prior to
receiving a high school diploma or GED within six months from the
initial date of enrollment in the community college courses.

-Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better in high
school or otherwise demonstrated an equivalent academic ability.

-Completed and submitted the free application for federal student aid
(FAFSA) for each academic year and accepted all state and federal aid
grants available, if eligible.

-Has not completed more than a total of ninety credit hours at a
post-secondary institution of education, or an associate's degree or a
program in career and technical education.

A person remains eligible to receive a grant upon maintaining a 2.5
GPA or better; making satisfactory progress towards a one-year
curriculum, associate's degree or a program in career and technical
education; and enrolls in courses for a sufficient number of credit
hours to be considered at least a half-time student each term for at
least three terms in each consecutive year.

After the tuition is reduced by fifty dollars, to be paid by the
person, and reduced by any amounts received by the person in state and
federal aid grants, the person shall be eligible for a grant equaling
at least the greater of one thousand dollars and the actual cost of
tuition, and no more than the lesser of the average community college
tuition cost in the state and the person's actual cost of tuition. The
total amount in grants may not exceed ten million dollars per fiscal
year.

The Department of Education shall adopt any rules and regulations
necessary for the administration of this program, and submit an annual
report on the impact of the program by December 31 of each
even-numbered year.



Section 2 appropriates $10,000,000.00, or so much as may be necessary,
to the Department of Education for the services and expenses of the
New York Promise Program.

Section 3 provides this act shall take effect on the one hundred
twentieth day after it shall have become a law and apply to courses
enrolled in for the 2016-2017 academic year.

 EXISTING LAW :

This is a new law.

 JUSTIFICATION :

According to the America's College Promise report, released by the
White House in September 2015, states and communities across the
country are making community college tuition-free. The report explains
why this is important, noting by 2020 an estimated 35 percent of job
openings will require at least a bachelor's degree and another 30
percent will require at least some college or an associate's degree.
For many students, community colleges offer a feasible starting point
to a four-year college degree. It is essential for New York to take
charge in bringing down college costs and promoting equality in
education.

This bill is modeled after the Oregon legislation, signed into law in
July 2015.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

$10,000,000.00 appropriation, or so much as may be necessary

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Undetermined

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law and apply to courses enrolled in for the
2016-2017 academic year.

2015-S6598 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  6598

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 29, 2016
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the  establishment  of
  the  New  York  promise  program for community colleges; and making an
  appropriation therefor

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Article 126 of the education law is amended by adding a new
section 6311 to read as follows:
  S  6311.  NEW YORK PROMISE PROGRAM.  1. ESTABLISHMENT. THERE IS HEREBY
ESTABLISHED THE NEW YORK PROMISE PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
  2. ADMINISTRATION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE NEW YORK  PROM-
ISE  PROGRAM  AS  PROVIDED  FOR IN THIS SECTION. SUBJECT TO SUBDIVISIONS
FIVE AND SIX OF THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A  WAIVER  OF
TUITION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE COURSES TO A PERSON WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA
DESCRIBED  IN  SUBDIVISIONS  THREE AND FOUR OF THIS SECTION. SUCH WAIVER
SHALL BE A GRANT AND LIMITED AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISIONS FIVE AND SIX OF
THIS SECTION.
  3. ELIGIBILITY. A GRANT SHALL BE  AWARDED  UNDER  THIS  SECTION  TO  A
PERSON WHO:
  (A) IS ENROLLED IN COURSES THAT ARE:
  (I) OFFERED AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THIS STATE; AND
  (II) DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT, TO BE REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION OF:
  (1) A ONE-YEAR CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER
POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION OF EDUCATION;
  (2) AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE; OR
  (3) A PROGRAM IN CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
  (B) HAS BEEN A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE FOR AT LEAST TWELVE MONTHS PRIOR
TO  ENROLLING IN THE COURSES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION;
  (C) ATTAINED THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION IN THIS STATE PRIOR TO:
  (I) RECEIVING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; OR
  (II) RECEIVING A GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD13908-02-6

S. 6598                             2

  (D) ATTAINED THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION AS  DESCRIBED  IN  PARA-
GRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION WITHIN SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE THE PERSON
FIRST  ENROLLS IN COURSES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION
FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (E)  EARNED  A CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.5 OR BETTER IN HIGH
SCHOOL OR OTHERWISE DEMONSTRATED  AN  EQUIVALENT  ACADEMIC  ABILITY,  AS
DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT;
  (F)  COMPLETED  AND SUBMITTED THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID (FAFSA) FOR EACH ACADEMIC YEAR AND ACCEPTED ALL  STATE  AND  FEDERAL
AID GRANTS AVAILABLE, IF ELIGIBLE TO FILE THE APPLICATION; AND
  (G) HAS NOT COMPLETED EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:
  (I)  MORE THAN A TOTAL OF NINETY CREDIT HOURS, OR THE EQUIVALENT, AT A
POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION OF EDUCATION; OR
  (II) A CURRICULUM, DEGREE OR PROGRAM,  AS  DESCRIBED  IN  SUBPARAGRAPH
(II) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
  4. CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY. (A) A PERSON CONTINUES TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE  A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION IF THE PERSON, IN ADDITION TO SATIS-
FYING THE CRITERIA DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION:
  (I) MAINTAINS A CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.5 OR BETTER DURING
EACH TERM FOR WHICH SUCH PERSON HAS RECEIVED A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (II) MAKES SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARDS A ONE-YEAR CURRICULUM, DEGREE
OR PROGRAM, AS DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDI-
VISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND
  (III) ENROLLS IN COURSES DESCRIBED IN  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  SUBDIVISION
THREE  OF  THIS  SECTION  FOR  A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO BE
CONSIDERED AT LEAST A HALF-TIME STUDENT EACH TERM  FOR  AT  LEAST  THREE
TERMS IN EACH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
  (B)  A PERSON WHO FAILS TO MAINTAIN THE CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE
SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I)  OF  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION
BECOMES  INELIGIBLE  TO  RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE TERM
AFTER WHICH THE PERSON FAILS TO  MAINTAIN  THE  CUMULATIVE  GRADE  POINT
AVERAGE, UNLESS THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT OF SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF PARA-
GRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION IS WAIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
  5.  AWARDS. (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF A GRANT AWARDED UNDER THIS SECTION
SHALL BE BASED ON EACH  TERM  THAT  A  PERSON  IS  ENROLLED  IN  COURSES
DESCRIBED  IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION.  AFTER
THE AMOUNT OF TUITION FOR THE PERSON FOR THE TERM IS  REDUCED  BY  FIFTY
DOLLARS,  TO  BE PAID BY THE PERSON, AND REDUCED BY ANY AMOUNTS RECEIVED
BY THE PERSON IN STATE AND FEDERAL  AID  GRANTS,  THE  PERSON  SHALL  BE
ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION IN AN AMOUNT THAT EQUALS:
  (I)  EXCEPT  AS  PROVIDED  IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, NOT
LESS THAN THE GREATER OF:
  (1) ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; AND
  (2) THE PERSON'S ACTUAL COST OF TUITION.
  (II) NOT MORE THAN THE LESSER OF:
  (1) THE AVERAGE COST OF TUITION AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THIS  STATE,
AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND
  (2) THE PERSON'S ACTUAL COST FOR TUITION.
  (B)  THE  MINIMUM AMOUNT OF A GRANT, AS CALCULATED UNDER PARAGRAPH (A)
OF THIS SUBDIVISION, MAY BE PRORATED FOR A PERSON  WHO  IS  ENROLLED  IN
COURSES  DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION
FOR A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO  BE  CONSIDERED  AT  LEAST  A
HALF-TIME STUDENT BUT NOT A FULL-TIME STUDENT.
  (C)  THE  DEPARTMENT  MAY  PRESCRIBE  BY RULE OR REGULATION WHETHER TO
INCLUDE FEES, AND ANY LIMITATIONS RELATED TO THE INCLUSION OF FEES, WHEN

S. 6598                             3

DETERMINING THE ACTUAL COST OF TUITION OR THE AVERAGE  COST  OF  TUITION
UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
  6.  TOTAL  GRANT AMOUNT. THE TOTAL AMOUNT IN GRANTS AWARDED UNDER THIS
SECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT EXCEED TEN MILLION DOLLARS PER  FISCAL
YEAR,  OR  ANY LESSER AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE
OF THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT  BY  RULE  OR  REGULATION  THE
PRIORITY  BY WHICH GRANTS ARE AWARDED, WHICH MAY ALLOW FOR PREFERENCE TO
BE GIVEN TO PERSONS ENROLLED IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR  HIGH  SCHOOLS  THAT
MEET SPECIFIED CRITERIA.
  7.  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT ANY RULES AND
REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS  SECTION  INCLUDING
ANY REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO:
  (A)  SPECIFYING  THE  FORM AND TIMELINES FOR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
FOR A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (B) DETERMINING WHETHER A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE FOR A  GRANT  UNDER  THIS
SECTION, INCLUDING WHETHER THE PERSON SHALL BE GIVEN PRIORITY AS ALLOWED
UNDER SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION;
  (C)  IMPLEMENTING  PROGRAMS  OR  POLICIES  THAT  IMPROVE  THE ACADEMIC
SUCCESS OR COMPLETION RATES FOR PERSONS WHO RECEIVE A GRANT  UNDER  THIS
SECTION;
  (D)  PRESCRIBING  ELIGIBILITY  REQUIREMENTS AND GRANT CALCULATIONS FOR
PERSONS DUALLY ENROLLED IN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND A PUBLIC  UNIVERSITY;
AND
  (E)  EVALUATING  THE  IMPACT  OF  THE  PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS
SECTION, INCLUDING ANY REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING DATA NEEDED FOR EVALU-
ATION.
  8. NO LATER THAN DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST OF EACH EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF  THE
SENATE  AND  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE ASSEMBLY A REPORT THAT SUMMARIZES THE
DEPARTMENT'S FINDINGS ON THE IMPACT OF  THE  PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED  UNDER
THIS SECTION.  SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE:
  (A)  STUDENT  COMPLETION  RATES  OF  CURRICULA,  DEGREES  AND PROGRAMS
DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE  OF
THIS SECTION;
  (B)  THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL AID GRANTS RECEIVED BY PERSONS WHO RECEIVED
A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (C) THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM ON SCHOOL DISTRICTS  THAT  HAD
STUDENTS RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (D)  THE  FINANCIAL  AND ENROLLMENT IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY
COLLEGES AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN THIS STATE; AND
  (E) THE OVERALL SUCCESS RATE OF THIS PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL  IMPACT  OF
THE PROGRAM.
  S  2.  The  sum  of  ten million dollars ($ 10,000,000.00), or so much
thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of
education from any moneys in the state treasury in the general  fund  to
the credit of the department of education not otherwise appropriated for
services  and  expenses  of  the  New York State Promise Program for the
purposes of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such sum  shall  be
payable  on  the  audit and warrant of the state comptroller on vouchers
certified or approved by the commissioner  of  education,  or  his  duly
designated  representative in the manner provided by law. No expenditure
shall be made from this appropriation until a certificate of approval of
availability shall have been issued by the director of  the  budget  and
filed  with  the state comptroller and a copy filed with the chairman of
the senate finance committee and the chairman of the assembly  ways  and
means  committee.  Such  certificate may be amended from time to time by

S. 6598                             4

the director of the budget and a copy of each such  amendment  shall  be
filed  with  the  state  comptroller, the chairman of the senate finance
committee and the chairman of the assembly ways and means committee.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it  shall  have  become  a  law and apply to courses enrolled in for the
2016-2017 academic year.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9254
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Appropriations
Laws Affected:: Add Art 126 §6311, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S2020, A929
2019-2020: S2114, A2997
2021-2022: S3251
2023-2024: S1840

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Relates to the establishment of the New York state promise program for community college courses; makes an appropriation therefor.

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S6598A

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the establishment of
the New York promise program for community colleges; and making an
appropriation therefor

 PURPOSE :

To provide a waiver of tuition for community college courses to
persons who meet certain criteria.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends article 126 of the education law by adding a new
section 6311 providing there is established the New York Promise
Program for community colleges. The Department of Education shall
provide a waiver of tuition for community college courses, in the form
of a grant, to a person who meets the following criteria:

- Enrolled in courses offered at a community college in this state,
determined to be required for the completion of a one-year curriculum
for students who plan to transfer to another postsecondary institution
of education, or an associate's degree or a program in career and
technical education.

- New York resident for at least twelve months prior to enrolling in
the community college courses.

- Attained their highest level of education in New York prior to
receiving a high school diploma or GED within six months from the
initial date of enrollment in the community college courses. -Earned a
cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better in high school or
otherwise demonstrated an equivalent academic ability.

- Completed and submitted the free application for federal student aid
(FAFSA) for each academic year and accepted all state and federal aid
grants available, if eligible.

- Has not completed more than a total of ninety credit hours at a
post-secondary institution of education, or an associate's degree or a
program in career and technical education.

A person remains eligible to receive a grant upon maintaining a 2.5
GPA or better; making satisfactory progress towards a one-year
curriculum, associate's degree or a program in career and technical
education; and enrolls in courses for a sufficient number of credit
hours to be considered at least a half-time student each term for at
least three terms in each consecutive year.

After the tuition is reduced by fifty dollars, to be paid by the
person, and reduced by any amounts received by the person in state and
federal aid grants, the person shall be eligible for a grant equaling
at least the greater of one thousand dollars and the actual cost of
tuition, but no more than the lesser of the average community college
tuition cost in the state and the person's actual cost of tuition. The
total amount in grants may not exceed ten million dollars per fiscal
year.

The Department of Education shall adopt any rules and regulations
necessary for the administration of this program, and submit an annual
report on the impact of the program by December 31 of each
even-numbered year.


Section 2 appropriates $10,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be
necessary, to the Department of Education for the services and
expenses of the New York Promise Program.

Section 3 provides this act shall take effect on the one hundred
twentieth day after it shall have become a law and apply to courses
enrolled in beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year. The amended bill
clarifies that the program is not limited to that academic year.

 EXISTING LAW :

This is a new law.

 JUSTIFICATION :

According to the America's College Promise report, released by the
White House in September 2015, states and communities across the
country are making community college tuition-free. The report explains
why this is important, noting by 2020 an estimated 35 percent of job
openings will require at least a bachelor's degree and another 30
percent will require at least some college or an associate's degree.
For many students, community colleges offer a feasible starting point
to a four-year college degree. It is essential for New York to take
charge in bringing down college costs and promoting equality in
education.

This bill is modeled after the Oregon legislation, signed into law in
July 2015.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

$10,000,000.00 appropriation, or so much thereof as may be necessary

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law and apply to courses enrolled in beginning in
the 2016-2017 academic year.

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 6598--A

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 29, 2016
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sens. SANDERS, DILAN, ESPAILLAT, HASSELL-THOMPSON, KENNE-
  DY, PANEPINTO, PARKER, PERKINS -- read twice and ordered printed,  and
  when  printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to said committee

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the  establishment  of
  the  New  York  promise  program for community colleges; and making an
  appropriation therefor

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Article 126 of the education law is amended by adding a new
section 6311 to read as follows:
  S  6311.  NEW YORK PROMISE PROGRAM.  1. ESTABLISHMENT. THERE IS HEREBY
ESTABLISHED THE NEW YORK PROMISE PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
  2. ADMINISTRATION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE NEW YORK  PROM-
ISE  PROGRAM  AS  PROVIDED  FOR IN THIS SECTION. SUBJECT TO SUBDIVISIONS
FIVE AND SIX OF THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A  WAIVER  OF
TUITION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE COURSES TO A PERSON WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA
DESCRIBED  IN  SUBDIVISIONS  THREE AND FOUR OF THIS SECTION. SUCH WAIVER
SHALL BE A GRANT AND LIMITED AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISIONS FIVE AND SIX OF
THIS SECTION.
  3. ELIGIBILITY. A GRANT SHALL BE  AWARDED  UNDER  THIS  SECTION  TO  A
PERSON WHO:
  (A) IS ENROLLED IN COURSES THAT ARE:
  (I) OFFERED AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THIS STATE; AND
  (II) DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT, TO BE REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION OF:
  (1) A ONE-YEAR CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER
POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION OF EDUCATION;
  (2) AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE; OR
  (3) A PROGRAM IN CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
  (B) HAS BEEN A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE FOR AT LEAST TWELVE MONTHS PRIOR
TO  ENROLLING IN THE COURSES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION;
  (C) ATTAINED THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION IN THIS STATE PRIOR TO:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                           LBD13908-03-6

S. 6598--A                          2

  (I) RECEIVING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; OR
  (II) RECEIVING A GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE.
  (D)  ATTAINED  THEIR  HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION AS DESCRIBED IN PARA-
GRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION WITHIN SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE THE PERSON
FIRST ENROLLS IN COURSES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS  SUBDIVISION
FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (E)  EARNED  A CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.5 OR BETTER IN HIGH
SCHOOL OR OTHERWISE DEMONSTRATED  AN  EQUIVALENT  ACADEMIC  ABILITY,  AS
DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT;
  (F)  COMPLETED  AND SUBMITTED THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID (FAFSA) FOR EACH ACADEMIC YEAR AND ACCEPTED ALL  STATE  AND  FEDERAL
AID GRANTS AVAILABLE, IF ELIGIBLE TO FILE THE APPLICATION; AND
  (G) HAS NOT COMPLETED EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:
  (I)  MORE THAN A TOTAL OF NINETY CREDIT HOURS, OR THE EQUIVALENT, AT A
POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION OF EDUCATION; OR
  (II) A CURRICULUM, DEGREE OR PROGRAM,  AS  DESCRIBED  IN  SUBPARAGRAPH
(II) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
  4. CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY. (A) A PERSON CONTINUES TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE  A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION IF THE PERSON, IN ADDITION TO SATIS-
FYING THE CRITERIA DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION:
  (I) MAINTAINS A CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.5 OR BETTER DURING
EACH TERM FOR WHICH SUCH PERSON HAS RECEIVED A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (II) MAKES SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARDS A ONE-YEAR CURRICULUM, DEGREE
OR PROGRAM, AS DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDI-
VISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND
  (III) ENROLLS IN COURSES DESCRIBED IN  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  SUBDIVISION
THREE  OF  THIS  SECTION  FOR  A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO BE
CONSIDERED AT LEAST A HALF-TIME STUDENT EACH TERM  FOR  AT  LEAST  THREE
TERMS IN EACH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
  (B)  A PERSON WHO FAILS TO MAINTAIN THE CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE
SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I)  OF  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION
BECOMES  INELIGIBLE  TO  RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE TERM
AFTER WHICH THE PERSON FAILS TO  MAINTAIN  THE  CUMULATIVE  GRADE  POINT
AVERAGE, UNLESS THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT OF SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF PARA-
GRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION IS WAIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
  5.  AWARDS. (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF A GRANT AWARDED UNDER THIS SECTION
SHALL BE BASED ON EACH  TERM  THAT  A  PERSON  IS  ENROLLED  IN  COURSES
DESCRIBED  IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION.  AFTER
THE AMOUNT OF TUITION FOR THE PERSON FOR THE TERM IS  REDUCED  BY  FIFTY
DOLLARS,  TO  BE PAID BY THE PERSON, AND REDUCED BY ANY AMOUNTS RECEIVED
BY THE PERSON IN STATE AND FEDERAL  AID  GRANTS,  THE  PERSON  SHALL  BE
ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION IN AN AMOUNT THAT EQUALS:
  (I)  EXCEPT  AS  PROVIDED  IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, NOT
LESS THAN THE GREATER OF:
  (1) ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; AND
  (2) THE PERSON'S ACTUAL COST OF TUITION.
  (II) NOT MORE THAN THE LESSER OF:
  (1) THE AVERAGE COST OF TUITION AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THIS  STATE,
AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND
  (2) THE PERSON'S ACTUAL COST FOR TUITION.
  (B)  THE  MINIMUM AMOUNT OF A GRANT, AS CALCULATED UNDER PARAGRAPH (A)
OF THIS SUBDIVISION, MAY BE PRORATED FOR A PERSON  WHO  IS  ENROLLED  IN
COURSES  DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION
FOR A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO  BE  CONSIDERED  AT  LEAST  A
HALF-TIME STUDENT BUT NOT A FULL-TIME STUDENT.

S. 6598--A                          3

  (C)  THE  DEPARTMENT  MAY  PRESCRIBE  BY RULE OR REGULATION WHETHER TO
INCLUDE FEES, AND ANY LIMITATIONS RELATED TO THE INCLUSION OF FEES, WHEN
DETERMINING THE ACTUAL COST OF TUITION OR THE AVERAGE  COST  OF  TUITION
UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
  6.  TOTAL  GRANT AMOUNT. THE TOTAL AMOUNT IN GRANTS AWARDED UNDER THIS
SECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT EXCEED TEN MILLION DOLLARS PER  FISCAL
YEAR,  OR  ANY LESSER AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE
OF THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT  BY  RULE  OR  REGULATION  THE
PRIORITY  BY WHICH GRANTS ARE AWARDED, WHICH MAY ALLOW FOR PREFERENCE TO
BE GIVEN TO PERSONS ENROLLED IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR  HIGH  SCHOOLS  THAT
MEET SPECIFIED CRITERIA.
  7.  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT ANY RULES AND
REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS  SECTION  INCLUDING
ANY REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO:
  (A)  SPECIFYING  THE  FORM AND TIMELINES FOR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
FOR A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (B) DETERMINING WHETHER A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE FOR A  GRANT  UNDER  THIS
SECTION, INCLUDING WHETHER THE PERSON SHALL BE GIVEN PRIORITY AS ALLOWED
UNDER SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION;
  (C)  IMPLEMENTING  PROGRAMS  OR  POLICIES  THAT  IMPROVE  THE ACADEMIC
SUCCESS OR COMPLETION RATES FOR PERSONS WHO RECEIVE A GRANT  UNDER  THIS
SECTION;
  (D)  PRESCRIBING  ELIGIBILITY  REQUIREMENTS AND GRANT CALCULATIONS FOR
PERSONS DUALLY ENROLLED IN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND A PUBLIC  UNIVERSITY;
AND
  (E)  EVALUATING  THE  IMPACT  OF  THE  PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS
SECTION, INCLUDING ANY REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING DATA NEEDED FOR EVALU-
ATION.
  8. NO LATER THAN DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST OF EACH EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF  THE
SENATE  AND  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE ASSEMBLY A REPORT THAT SUMMARIZES THE
DEPARTMENT'S FINDINGS ON THE IMPACT OF  THE  PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED  UNDER
THIS SECTION.  SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE:
  (A)  STUDENT  COMPLETION  RATES  OF  CURRICULA,  DEGREES  AND PROGRAMS
DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE  OF
THIS SECTION;
  (B)  THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL AID GRANTS RECEIVED BY PERSONS WHO RECEIVED
A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (C) THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM ON SCHOOL DISTRICTS  THAT  HAD
STUDENTS RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION;
  (D)  THE  FINANCIAL  AND ENROLLMENT IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY
COLLEGES AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN THIS STATE; AND
  (E) THE OVERALL SUCCESS RATE OF THIS PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL  IMPACT  OF
THE PROGRAM.
  S  2.  The  sum  of  ten million dollars ($ 10,000,000.00), or so much
thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of
education from any moneys in the state treasury in the general  fund  to
the credit of the department of education not otherwise appropriated for
services  and  expenses  of  the  New York State Promise Program for the
purposes of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such sum  shall  be
payable  on  the  audit and warrant of the state comptroller on vouchers
certified or approved by the commissioner  of  education,  or  his  duly
designated  representative in the manner provided by law. No expenditure
shall be made from this appropriation until a certificate of approval of
availability shall have been issued by the director of  the  budget  and
filed  with  the state comptroller and a copy filed with the chairman of

S. 6598--A                          4

the senate finance committee and the chairman of the assembly  ways  and
means  committee.  Such  certificate may be amended from time to time by
the director of the budget and a copy of each such  amendment  shall  be
filed  with  the  state  comptroller, the chairman of the senate finance
committee and the chairman of the assembly ways and means committee.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law and apply to courses enrolled in beginning in
the 2016-2017 academic year.

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Senate Bill S6598A

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2015-S6598 - Details

2015-S6598 - Summary

2015-S6598 - Sponsor Memo

2015-S6598 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Details

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Senate Bill S6598A

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Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2015-S6598 - Details

2015-S6598 - Summary

2015-S6598 - Sponsor Memo

2015-S6598 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Details

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2015-S6598A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments