Senate Bill S5077

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S5077

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to state aid for
certain community colleges

 PURPOSE :

This legislation aims to mandate all SUNY community colleges to
provide an educational opportunity program (EOP).

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section one of this bill amends Education Law section 358(1)(b) to
allow state aid to be provided only to community colleges that provide
an educational opportunity program, as prescribed by section 6452 of
this chapter.

Section two of this bill provides this act shall take effect on the
ninetieth day after it shall become a law.

 EXISTING LAW :

Currently, there is no requirement for community colleges to provide
an educational opportunity program (EOP).
              

 JUSTIFICATION :

As the New York State job market transitions from manufacturing to
technology and other sorts of specialties, a college degree is no
longer an advantage but rather a necessity. While not every single
student is financially nor academically ready to pursue a
baccalaureate degree, community colleges must play a significant role
in serving those students. Although community college tuitions in New
York State are reasonably priced, when considering housing, meal
plans, and other fees, attending a community college becomes a
significant financial investment. According to a 2016 College Board
research paper, "although community college students are less likely
to borrow and on average borrow less than other students, a higher
percentage of borrowers in the sector default on their federal student
loans than students in other sectors". Out of SUNY's 30 community
colleges, 18 of them participate and operate the Educational
Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides vital financial and academic
support to the State's economically and educationally disadvantaged
youth. The following statistic further illustrates how impactful EOP
has been; SUNY's EOP six-year baccalaureate graduation rate of 65% far
exceeds the national rate of 56% for all public institutions.

The following community colleges do not provide EOP: Cayuga Community
College, Clinton Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College,
Corning Community College, Herkimer County Community College,
Jamestown Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Nassau
Community College, North Country Community College, Rockland Community
College, Sullivan County Community College and Tompkins Cortland
Community College.

Besides the significant financial hurdle that a student is faced with
while attending a community college, the student will have to navigate
even more monetary challenges if they decide to transfer to a college
or university. Students that attend a community college that does not
provide EOP, risk potentially disqualifying themselves for essential
financial and academic support programs such as EOP and HEOP when
transferring to a college or university. Although SUNY colleges and
universities are open to accepting those transfer students into EOP,
the priority will always be given to transfer students from EOP
participating community colleges. Considering each year, there are
roughly 15,000 applicants for only 1,200 EOP openings, the probability
of a SUNY college or university accepting transfers from one of the 12
stated community colleges that do not operate EOP are low.

Throughout the State and country, there is a consensus that an
educated population is beneficial for society but less might know of
the economic impact. According to the College Board report, " for
every dollar that U.S. taxpayers spent on America's community colleges
during the analysis year: $4.80 is gained in lifetime income for
students, $6.80 is gained in added taxes and public sector savings for
taxpayers, and $25.90 is gained in added incomes and social savings
for society". It is in New York States best interest to require
community colleges to provide EOP and invest in our most vulnerable
population's education.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New Bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATION :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become
a law.