LEGISLATURE PASSES GOLDEN-SPONSORED BILL EXTENDING CUNY TUITION WAIVERS FOR POLICE OFFICERS

The State Legislature has passed a bill that extends, for two-years, a tuition waiver for one course for police officer students in baccalaureate or higher degree programs at the City University of New York.

Sponsored by Senator Marty Golden (S.6474) and Assemblymember Joseph Lentol (A.9093), the legislation extends a program that dates back to 2004 which provides a one-course tuition waiver (no limit as to the number of credits for the one course) for members of the New York City Police Department employed in the rank of police officer who are enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate (four-year) or higher degrees at one of CUNY’s senior colleges. The course must be related to the police officer’s employment with the Department.

 The current waiver program is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2016. The legislation, which is awaiting action by Governor Cuomo, would extend the waiver until July 1, 2018.

Golden, a former New York City police officer, said, “our modern society requires a well educated police force. The waiver gives our police officers an incentive to attend College.”