BILL NUMBER: S7238

SPONSOR: LAVALLE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to the
New York state science, technology, engineering and mathematics incen-
tive program

 
PURPOSE:

The bill will align the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Incentive program with other state scholarship programs, allowing
students to choose the college or university with the academic program
and approach that benefits them the most.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Provides access to science, technology, engineering and math-
ematics incentive program awards to students at institutions of higher
education, as defined under section 601 of the education law.

 
              

JUSTIFICATION:

The recently passed Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Incentive Program offers the State's top 10 percent of high school grad-
uates full-time tuition scholarships to attend the State University of
New York (SUNY) or City University (CUNY) if they study in STEM-related
fields and commit to staying in New York State for five years following
graduation.

The initiative is needed as a way to fill the half-million STEM jobs
anticipated in the state by 2018. Currently, of all the bachelor's
degrees awarded in the State, just one quarter (23%) are awarded to
students pursuing STEM and related degrees.

Since the current program does not leverage all of New York's higher
education assets in bolstering our STEM-educated workforce, this bill
would ensure that program's eligibility operates similar to other schol-
arship programs where the funding follows the student.

In 2011-12, the Independent Sector awarded nearly 6 in 10 (58%) of the
bachelor's degrees awarded in STEM fields in New York State. While one-
third of its bachelor's degrees earned in the United States are in STEM
fields, half (50%) of all degrees awarded in China and Japan are in
these critical areas. We are already behind and risk widening the gap if
we do not fully engage all campuses in creative efforts such as the
Incentive Program. Right now, every other scholarship program currently
in statute enables students to take their state-funded scholarship equal
in value to SUNY tuition to the New York college or university of their
choice.

Private colleges and universities are leaders in STEM education. Many
are anchor tenants in their communities. Many educate large numbers and
proportions of New York State resident students, often students from the
immediate region. Once graduated, these students fill critical positions
at engineering and technology companies in their communities. We believe
that all of New York students should be able to benefit from the STEM
Incentive Program regardless of where they choose to attend college.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2017 S.2466A Veto  207);
2015-16 S.523/A.3610;
2014 S.7567A/A.9892A.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

The recently passed STEM Incentive program is estimated at $8 million in
year one. This bill estimates an additional $1 million would allow resi-
dent students to attend any New York State college or university.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.