Proposal would provide free community college for some in NYS

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Affordability was the main theme of Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address. Tuition free community college was among her biggest proposals.

"You want to change jobs, you can go back to community college on us," said Hochul on Tuesday.

SUNY and CUNY community colleges could be free for some students ages 25-55, if Governor Hochul gets her way. 

"This will be for those who enter the high demand fields of advanced manufacturing, health care, and education. We have so many vacancies," explained the Governor.

Fees and books would also be covered for students taking those majors.

SUNY Chancellor John King said this will help people prepare for jobs in high demand fields such as the semiconductor industry.

"Micron and the supply chain companies are going to bring 50,000 jobs to the Syracuse region. We want to help prepare that workforce," explained King. "Onondaga Community College has a simulated clean room to help people get ready for jobs like Micron. This commitment from the governor will make that pipeline even stronger."

New York would not be the first state to offer free community college tuition if this were to pass. 

"We have a state like Massachusetts that did this, Michigan has done something very similar, even the state of Tennessee has done something similar," said the Chancellor. "They are already seeing big increases in enrollment at community college, and more graduates ready for the most competitive jobs."

According to the Massachusetts Governor’s Office, $117.5 million dollars was allocated for free community college in the Massachusetts state budget. 

New York State Assembly Minority Leader, Will Barclay has his doubts about the costs.

"Ultimately we have to look at that proposal, but it’s very expensive to do something like this," said Barclay.

Between 2023-2024, New York awarded more than $121 million dollars for the Excelsior Scholarship which provides free tuition for families making $125,000 or less, according to the state’s Higher Education Service Corporation’s website. 

https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program/

Governor Hochul is expected to share more funding details next week.