BILL NUMBER: S462

SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
tuition assistance program awards

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would increase the household threshold income cap for the
State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) from $80,000 to $100,000.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends Section 667 subdivision 3; paragraph a, subparagraph
ii, clause D of the education law as amended by section 1 of part B of
Chapter 60 of the laws of 2000.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

With more and more jobs in the United States requiring bachelors and
masters degrees in order to obtain them, the focus for the current
generation is to go to college. However, the cost of attending a college
and university has increased tremendously, making it harder for students
to gain access to higher education. Furthermore, if a family has more
than one child, the current income cap threshold doesn't take that into
account. This legislation would expand the maximum income cap for eligi-
bility by $20,000 to $100,000 so more middle-class families can receive
assistance in paying college tuition. The household income cap has not
increased since 2000, when it went from $50,500 to $80,000. The increase
will better align the income cap threshold with current tuition prices
and inflation values, and will encourage more New Yorkers to go to
college.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2018: S.5259 - Referred to Higher Educatiion/ A.5583 - Referred to High-
er Education
2017: S.5259 - Referred to Higher Education/ A.5583 - Referred to Higher
Education
2016: S.2130 - Referred to Higher Education / A.3049 - Referred to High-
er Education
2015: S.2130 - Referred to Higher Education/ A.3049 - Referred to Higher
Education
2014: S.7248 - Referred to Higher Education/ A.9554 - Referred to Higher
Education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.