Governor Paterson Signs Padavan Bill Into Law Continuing NYPD Tuition Waiver

New York State Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) announced today that Governor Paterson has signed into law legislation that will extend CUNY tuition waiver benefits for members of the New York City Police Department for two years, until 2010.

The legislation specifically continues for two years a tuition waiver for one course for NYPD officer students seeking a baccalaureate or higher degree at the City University of New York (CUNY). The course must be related to their employment and duties as a police officer. 

“Providing tuition waivers for one course to the men and women serving in the NYPD is a strong incentive to further their education,” Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) said. “This is an important benefit to the thousands of officers in the NYPD who are dedicated to the safety, security and well-being of all City residents. I thank Governor Paterson for his timely support of this important piece of legislation.”

The original legislation, establishing the tuition waiver, was passed in 2004 and was based on a program sponsored by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the late 1970’s and throughout the 1980’s.