S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3573--A
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 27, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BRINDISI -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Higher Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the
Reimbursement for educational achievement and proficiency (REAP)
program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 679-g
to read as follows:
S 679-G. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND PROFICIENCY
(REAP) PROGRAM. 1. THE NEW YORK STATE REAP PROGRAM IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED
TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CORPORATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF REIMBURSING
STUDENTS' STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (SUNY) OR CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW
YORK (CUNY) COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUITION COSTS.
2. TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM AN APPLICANT (A) MUST HAVE
GRADUATED FROM A NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL OR COMPLETED A NEW YORK
STATE GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND RECEIVED A GED; (B) MUST APPLY FOR
ADMISSION AT A SUNY OR CUNY COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF HIGH
SCHOOL GRADUATION OR RECEIPT OF SUCH GED; (C) MUST ENROLL IN A SUNY OR
CUNY COMMUNITY COLLEGE BEGINNING IN THE FALL OF TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN OR
THEREAFTER; (D) MUST HAVE FILED THE FEDERAL APPLICATION FOR STUDENT
FINANCIAL AID (FASFA); (E) MUST ATTEND SUCH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON A
FULL-TIME BASIS; (F) MUST GRADUATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITH A 2.5 GRADE
POINT AVERAGE OR ABOVE; (G) MUST GRADUATE WITHIN THREE YEARS FROM THE
FIRST YEAR OF ENROLLMENT; AND (H) MUST FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE NEW
YORK STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES CORPORATION WITHIN ONE YEAR OF
GRADUATING FROM SUCH COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
3. THE CORPORATION SHALL GRANT AWARDS TO STUDENTS WHO MEET THE ELIGI-
BILITY REQUIREMENTS IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION IN AN AMOUNT THAT
REIMBURSES THE STUDENT FOR THE TOTAL OUT-OF-POCKET TUITION COSTS PAID BY
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03371-03-5
A. 3573--A 2
SUCH STUDENT FOR ATTENDANCE AT A SUNY OR CUNY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MINUS
ANY OTHER AWARDS OR SCHOLARSHIPS RECEIVED BY SUCH STUDENT THAT WERE
APPLIED TO TUITION COSTS. OTHER AWARDS THAT SHALL BE SUBTRACTED FROM THE
REAP PROGRAM AWARD SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, TUITION ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAM AWARDS OR FEDERAL PELL AWARDS.
4. REAP PROGRAM AWARDS SHALL BE GRANTED PURSUANT TO APPROPRIATIONS
MADE FOR SUCH PURPOSES AND PURSUANT TO RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED
BY THE CORPORATION.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.