As budget negotiations continue ahead of the April 1 deadline, Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing expanding the Tuition Assistance Program to include part-time CUNY and SUNY students. That could be a game changer for New York residents who aren't taking classes full-time.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Hochul has proposed expanding the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to include part-time SUNY and CUNY students

  • The move could help thousands who must work their way through college earn a degree

  • A proposal to also expand to TAP to those incarcerated has generated controversy

Starting in 2013, Edna Mosquera attended CUNY. But due to unfavorable economic circumstances, she was forced to drop out.

“Well, the problem was that I was a full-time student,” said Edna Mosquera, a former CUNY student. “Then I got pregnant and I had to balance incomes. You know, we have another child, my husband and I. Then I had to stop to help support my family, so I had to stop school.”

Then the pandemic hit, making things even more difficult. Her husband’s salary was reduced by 40%. Attending school on a full-time basis, even with state financial assistance just wasn’t feasible.

But the proposal from Gov. Hochul would allow part-time students to access the state’s popular Tuition Assistance Program, also known as TAP, to attend SUNY and CUNY classes. Because it's a need-based grant, the funds do not have to be paid back.

“Wow, that proposal would benefit us tremendously, especially me because I want to help bring extra income for this family and pursue my degree and fulfill my dream to become a nurse -- then that would be really, really helpful,” Mosquera said.

Right now, TAP is only available to New Yorkers attending school on a full-time basis, and those below a certain income threshold.

“Almost half of our 12,000 LaGuardia students attend part time,” sais LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams. “But because of economic hardship caused by the pandemic, they need TAP. They need part-time TAP to stay in school and complete their degrees.”

Hochul’s proposal also goes a step further, extending TAP eligibility to those who are incarcerated. Critics say TAP should be made available to those in higher income brackets first, who also can’t afford school.

“For me, expanding TAP eligibility should be for people who haven’t broken the law,” said Republican Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt. “Let’s use people’s tax dollars to help those who struggle to go to college. They are not currently eligible for TAP, but college is still very expensive for them because they are in a middle class family. They are sort of stuck in that in between income bracket.”

The governor’s TAP proposal has support from both houses of the legislature, which means it will very likely end up in the final budget being negotiated that is due in less than two weeks.