Senate Bill S1550A

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S1550

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing a program
fee option for graduate students


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
This bill would provide that the trustees of the state university will
provide a program fee option for graduate students.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
Paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law is
amended by adding a new subparagraph 10.  This bill would specifically
state that a program fee is an option for the trustees of the state
university in the exercise of their power to regulate tuition charges.
This would allow a matriculated graduate student who has taken at
least 30 credits of course work towards the completion of a degree and
maintain access to certain university facilities through payment of a
program fee.

 EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER :
Graduate students enrolled at SUNY currently have four enrollment
options. They can be enrolled at 1/2 time and above; this is the most
costly option, but it allows students who have student loans to defer
them. They can enroll at three credits to maintain a minimum official
              

relationship with the university; however, this level of enrollment
obligates a student to begin repaying student loan. They can also take
an official leave of absence, which is a difficult request not often
granted to students. They can also withdraw from a program. All of
these options are unnecessarily costly or impose needless restrictions
on students. This bill proposes a fifth option.

 JUSTIFICATION :
A program fee option has been available at the University of
Massachusetts since 1969. Graduate students have maintained the right
to use certain university facilities which enables them to work toward
their degrees even when they are not enrolled in courses. Students are
thus able to defer their loan repayments; therefore, fewer defaults
occur. Mature students are helped to continue their progress toward
advanced degrees in a manner which takes into account their personal
and professional needs.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
This bill has been previously introduced.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
There is no cost to the state. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
increased enrollment and revenue have accrued as students have
recognized the advantages of this program fee option.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.