Proposed Assembly Budget Makes $25 Billion Investment in Higher Education, Including $212 Million in Opportunity Program Funding

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Alicia Hyndman today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Proposed Budget makes higher education an achievable goal for all students by providing critical funding to the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York’s (CUNY), expanding tuition-free community college opportunities and providing $212 million for opportunity programs.

“This year’s proposed budget continues the Assembly Majority’s commitment to providing all New Yorkers the opportunity to seek higher education,” said Speaker Heastie. “By expanding the executive’s proposal to provide tuition-free community college, we’re allowing all communities the chance to learn the skills they need to climb the socioeconomic ladder toward a brighter tomorrow.”

“These investments are critical to ensuring our SUNY and CUNY schools have the resources they need to provide all New Yorkers a world-class education,” said Assemblymember Hyndman. “As we work towards preparing New York for tomorrow, our investments in public community colleges and associates degrees will ensure all communities have the opportunity to work towards building our state’s future.”

SUNY Funding

The Assembly proposes funding for several capital projects, including:

• $300 million for SUNY Critical Maintenance, for a total of $850 million;
• $600 million for SUNY Research Facilities, for a total of $800 million;
• $250 million for SUNY Downstate Hospital, for a total of $700 million; and
• $250 million for SUNY Upstate Hospital, for a total of $450 million.

The budget also proposes to shift the cost of SUNY hospital debt service to the state, saving the hospitals $70 million.

CUNY Funding

For CUNY, the Assembly provides $34 million for collective bargaining costs. For CUNY capital projects, the Assembly proposes:

• An additional $250 million for CUNY critical maintenance, for a total of $534.2 million;
• $220 million to support CUNY energy efficiency projects;
• $109 million for CUNY’s comprehensive IT modernization and security enhancement; and
• $119 million in additional, flexible capital funding to support various CUNY needs.

Community Colleges

The Assembly’s proposed spending plan provides $50 million in additional base aid for community colleges, $30 million for SUNY and $20 million for CUNY.

The Assembly also makes changes to the executive’s New York Opportunity Promise Scholarship by modifying the proposal to establish the New York College Access Program (NYCAP), which provides free tuition for community college and certain associate degree programs at SUNY and CUNY. Eligibility for the NYCAP does not have restrictions based on age, area of study and having obtained another post-secondary degree to ensure all communities can participate in this program.

Tuition Assistance

The spending plan provides several proposals assisting students with tuition, including:

• A $37.1 million increase for the Excelsior program to expand income eligibility from $125,000 to $150,000; and
• A $9.2 million increase for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to expand income eligibility from $125,000 to $150,000 for certain students.

Opportunity Programs

The Assembly’s proposed budget also provides a restoration and an additional $6.2 million for opportunity programs, for a total of $212 million. Funding for these programs includes:

• $50.5 million for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP);
• $45.7 million for the Education Opportunity Program (EOP);
• $39.9 million for the Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) program;
• $26.1 million for Liberty Partnerships;
• $22.5 million for the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP);
• $17 million for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP);
• $8.5 million for the Foster Youth College Success Initiative; and
• $1.9 million for College Discovery.

Other Investments

The Assembly’s proposed budget makes other investments in higher education including $1 million for the Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program and $2 million for Students with Disabilities.

The proposed spending plan also makes other investments in SUNY, including:

• $2.3 million for the Maritime Appointments Program;
• $6.1 million for the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE);
• $2.0 million for Mental Health Services; and
• $850,000 for the Timbuctoo Climate Science Careers Summer Institute.

Additional investments for CUNY include:

• $31.8 million for the CUNY Medical School;
• $7 million for the Career Success Model;
• $6.2 million for the School of Labor and Urban Studies;
• $3.0 million for Expansion of Nursing Programs; and
• $2.0 million for Mental Health Programs.

The proposed funding plan also provides $40 million to fund another round of HECAP for independent schools.