State College of New York (SUNY) campuses are gearing as much as launch Governor Kathy Hochul’s free neighborhood school program.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. introduced that this system, which was accepted within the FY25-26 enacted finances, will begin in Fall 2025 in neighborhood schools all through the state via SUNY Reconnect. The neighborhood schools will present free tuition, charges, books, and provides for adults ages 25-55 who don’t have already got a university diploma and pursue an affiliate diploma in a high-demand discipline.
“I applaud Governor Hochul for fighting tirelessly to advance higher education and affordability, and I thank the State Legislature for supporting this proven model to help unleash New Yorkers’ full potential,” stated SUNY Chancellor King. “The SUNY Reconnect program, launching for the Fall 2025 term, will help break barriers to a college degree and provide financial support and flexibility for adult students to enroll, and more importantly, to succeed through to graduation at one of our excellent community colleges.”
This program goals to assist empower New Yorkers and assist working-age adults earn a priceless schooling at SUNY campuses, with tuition, charges, books, and provides all lined after relevant monetary help.
With the intention to be eligible for this system, potential college students should enroll in Superior manufacturing, Synthetic Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Expertise, Nursing and allied well being fields, Inexperienced and renewable vitality and Pathways to Educating in scarcity areas. Eligible college students may have entry to advising and assist, and the SUNY Reconnect program will assist join eligible New Yorkers to search out job alternatives in superior manufacturing, renewable vitality, and AI.
The FY25-26 Enacted State Price range can be offering $8 million in elevated working help to neighborhood schools and maintains that the 100% neighborhood school funding flooring, which protects neighborhood schools from $75 million misplaced direct state tax assist. The finances can even present extra vital funding to assist New York’s Academic Alternative Program, which has served greater than 85,000 college students, and elevated assist for ASAP|ACE. Hochul additionally lately introduced a $1.1 million grant for the SUNY Grownup Learner Management Initiative to assist neighborhood schools enhance entry and guarantee diploma completion for grownup learners.
SUNY Board Trustee Robert J. Duffy, Chair of the Group Faculties Committee, stated, “SUNY’s community colleges have long been a source of opportunity for New Yorkers. Our campuses provide an excellent education with robust support and an academic curriculum that prepares students for success in the workforce and continued education. The Governor’s free community college program will mean so much for adult learners and our campuses are ready to serve them today.”
Dr. Kristine Younger, president of SUNY Orange and of the New York Group Faculty Affiliation of Presidents (NYCCAP), stated, “SUNY’s community colleges are proud to join Governor Hochul and Chancellor King in opening doors for more adult learners across New York,” stated “Many of these students will be taking their first steps into college, and our campuses are ready to welcome them, guide them through the admissions process, and support their success in the classroom and beyond. Since our founding, community colleges have offered local, affordable pathways to quality higher education. SUNY Reconnect strengthens that mission while advancing the Governor’s vision for a skilled workforce and greater economic mobility, all with little or no cost to the student.”
By way of SUNY Reconnect, New Yorkers can study this system via info classes this summer time. For extra info, go to suny.edu/freeCC.
