Senate Passes Legislation to Support Students Pursuing STEM and Teaching Degrees

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces the Senate has passed legislation (S.2466A and S.2482C) that would amend state education law in relation to two scholarship programs offered to top graduating seniors pursuing college degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) or Education .  The changes will allow scholarship recipients to apply their award to not only public institutions, but also private, not-for-profit colleges and universities in New York.  Senator Gallivan co-sponsored both bills. 

"Students who earn these scholarships should be allowed to attend the college or university of their choice,” Gallivan said.  “By expanding these programs to include private, not-for-profit institutions, we ensure students have greater access to programs that best meet their academic needs and support the important economic impact both public and private colleges and universities have on communities across New York.” 

Bill S.2466A will align the STEM Incentive program with other state scholarship programs, allowing students to choose the college or university that benefits them the most.  The program offers the state top 10-percent of high school graduates full-time tuition scholarships if they study in STEM-related fields and they commit to staying in New York State for five years following graduation.  The initiative is needed to help fill the half-million STEM jobs anticipated in the state by 2018.

The bill is critical to private, not-for-profit colleges and universities across New York, including Rochester Institute of Technology, which is located in the 59^th Senate District.  Both the Senate and Assembly have passed the bill.

Bill S.2482C will align the Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program with other state scholarship programs.  The program offers awards for 500 New York State residents seeking a Master’s degree in education and dedicated to teaching in a public elementary or secondary school in New York.  Currently, 70 private colleges and universities confer 61 percent of the state’s bachelor and graduate education degrees.   The bill has been passed by the Senate and sent to the Assembly.    

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