Senate Bill S8685

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8685

SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the qualification of
an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship

 
PURPOSE:

Allows those with a postsecondary degree to be eligible for the New York
Opportunity Promise Scholarship and expands the program to include those
seeking a certificate as well as those seeking an associate's degree.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of subdivision 1 of
section 6311 of the Education Law to expand the program to include
certificates and allow those with postsecondary degrees to be eligible
for the New York Opportunity Promise Scholarship program by eliminating
(e).

              

Section 2 sets forth the effective date, which is immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

It is rare for individuals to work for just one company over the course
of their working years. It is also increasingly rare for individuals to
work in one field throughout their lives. The economy evolves with each
technological advancement, making some jobs obsolete or requiring new
skills in order to remain in a particular field. The modem job market
often requires workers to retrain multiple times.

The recently passed New York Opportunity Promise Scholarship program
goes a long way towards helping workers gain the knowledge and skills
they need to to stay competitive.

The program provides tuition-free and fee-free education at SUNY and
CUNY community colleges, leading to an associate's degree in a high-de-
mand field such as advanced manufacturing, technology, cybersecurity,
engineering, artificial intelligence, nursing and allied health
professions, green energy, and pathways to teaching in shortage areas
for those between the ages of 25 and 55.

The program has two shortcomings.

First, the program does not apply to those who have completed a post-
secondary degree. Many workers have completed an associate's or four-
year degree that is no longer relevant or useful for available jobs or
career opportunities. Often what they thought would be an exciting
career with high pay turned out to be anything but. Many times, people
need new training just to continue in their chosen field.

This bill will allow anyone who already has a post-secondary degree to
take advantage of the program.

Second, the program does not apply to students taking certificate cours-
es to retrain. Many workers need to improve or learn new skills in their
current occupation. This often does not require an associate's degree,
but a certificate in a given field. Community colleges are offering many
certificate classes for retraining. This bill would have the program
cover these certificate classes. By making these two changes, the New
York Opportunity Promise Scholarship program will be able to fulfill its
mission and serve all New Yorkers.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.