A01142 Summary:

BILL NO    A01142 

SAME AS    No same as

SPONSOR    McDonough (MS)

COSPNSR    Raia

MLTSPNSR   

Add S669-e, Ed L

Creates a fee remission program for veterans attending schools within the SUNY
or CUNY system.

A01142 Actions:

BILL NO    A01142 

01/07/2009 referred to higher education
01/06/2010 referred to higher education

A01142 Votes:

A01142 Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A1142

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
creating a fee remission program for veterans

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

This bill would provide a waiver of tuition and fees for eligible New
York State veterans for up to 8 full-time semester or 128 credits at
any State University of New York or City University of New York
institution at which the veteran is qualified to attend.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section one of the bill adds new section 669-e to the education law to
authorize the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation to
establish a fee remission for qualified veterans. who have been
accepted to SUNY or CUNY institutions. The amount of tuition remission
granted in any semester or term must be determined by subtracting from
the cost of attendance at any SUNY or CUNY institution the amount
received in that semester or term from the federal Pell Grant, the
state grant program, and any federal military or veterans' education
benefits, except veterans' disability payments from the United States
veterans administration or any successor agency. Section two
designates an effective date for the implementation of the bill.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Today's veterans, upon returning from overseas combat duty, face a
difficult challenge in successfully re-assimilating into American
society. Waiving the tuition costs at SUNY and CUNY colleges and
universities for qualified veterans will significantly increase the
chances of returned veterans completing their college educations and
finding jobs that will support them and their families after their
military careers are over. There are currently several other states,
including Wisconsin, Maryland and Massachusetts, that have similar
programs.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : A9701 of 2007-2008

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : There would be a fiscal impact to SUNY or CUNY
dependent on the number of veterans that choose to attend. Tuition at
SUNY and CUNY is approximately $4,000 a year.

 EFFECTIVE DATE : The first of September next succeeding the date on
which it shall become law.