Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program

Latest action May 7, 2026

Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program by restoring eligibility to graduate students; makes optional semesters, quarters or terms eligible for awards.

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Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A9522, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Education Law.

Committee

Higher Education · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Higher Education · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

The purpose of this legislation is to expand tuition assistance program (TAP) eligibility to make it available year-round, including summer and winter academic programs; and making TAP available for graduate students.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Cosponsors

Anna Kelles, Brian Cunningham and 15 more on Agora

Democratic17

Show all 17 on Agora

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Robert Jackson says this is needed

State and national experts in sectors like engineering, academia, and public policy have benefitted from their access to graduate studies. The cost of a graduate education, particularly for lower income students, can eliminate their hope to pursue a degree beyond a bach- elors. Through this bill, expanding TAP eligibility to make it available year-round, including summer and winter academic programs, and making TAP available for graduate students, will allow finances to not be another hurdle for students looking to pursue a graduate degree. Let's create more opportunities for aspiring scholars and professionals.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

May 7, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Higher Education
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
Jan 14, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
Dec 8, 2025
Enacting Clause Stricken
ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
NY Assembly
Mar 13, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate

Show full history (1 earlier event)

Jan 16, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 2, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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