Albany, NY – Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, Chair of the Committee on Higher Education, today unveiled the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026-2027 Budget Proposal. The plan makes a record-breaking $42.4 billion investment in higher education, focused on increasing accessibility, restoring graduate assistance, and modernizing campus infrastructure across the state.

At the heart of the proposal is a sweeping expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), designed to reflect the economic realities of modern New York families. The budget increases the income threshold for the maximum TAP award from $7,000 to $30,000 and raises the general eligibility cap from $125,000 to $150,000.

“The Assembly Majority has long fought for all students to have access to the high-quality and affordable education they need to succeed,” said Speaker Heastie. “Investing in higher education is an investment into the future of our state, and the funding we provide in this year’s proposed budget will bring tuition costs down and increase educational access for all New Yorkers.”

“This year’s Assembly budget addresses the burden of high costs that has made higher education inaccessible to many for too long,” said Assemblywoman Hyndman, Chair of the Committee on Higher Education. “Our commitment to students remains strong. Significant investments in tuition assistance, opportunity programs, and our CUNY and SUNY institutions are critical in reducing barriers and expanding access to New Yorkers dreaming of a bright future.”

Historic Wins for CUNY and Southeast Queens

The Assembly proposal provides $7.8 billion for a five-year CUNY capital plan. Highlights of the investment include:

• $60 Million to construct a new CUNY medical school and clinic building.
• $150 Million for comprehensive IT modernization and security enhancements.
• $50 Million to upgrade and renovate science labs across the system.

Specifically, the budget secures $2.5 million in new operating funds for Medgar Evers College, including $1 million for a cutting-edge Biomedical AI Research and Education Initiative and funding for the Jumpstart Summer Academy.

Restoring Opportunity and Support

Recognizing that the path to a degree requires more than just tuition coverage, the Assembly budget includes:

• $160 Million to reinstate Graduate TAP, allowing graduate students to receive awards for the first time in years.
• $30 Million+ Restoration for Opportunity Programs, including HEOP, EOP, SEEK, and Liberty Partnerships.
• $4.9 Million for the Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship to address the statewide healthcare workforce shortage.
• NY RISES Program: A new state-backed student loan program supported by $500 million in bonding authority to provide stable, low-cost borrowing options for New York students.

Modernizing SUNY Infrastructure

The proposal includes $10 billion for a five-year SUNY capital plan, including $1 billion for critical maintenance and $460 million for research facilities. Notably, the plan shifts the cost of SUNY hospital debt service to the state, saving those vital facilities $80 million annually.