Senate Bill S8685A

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Relates to the qualification of an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Mar 24, 2026	print number 8685b
Mar 24, 2026	amend and recommit to higher education
Jan 15, 2026	print number 8685a
Jan 15, 2026	amend and recommit to higher education
Jan 07, 2026	referred to higher education

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

2025-S8685 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Higher Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §6311, Ed L

2025-S8685 - Summary

Removes the requirement that an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship has not already obtained any postsecondary degree.

2025-S8685 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
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.

2025-S8685 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8685
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              January 7, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  FAHY  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the  qualification  of
   an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. Paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of  subdivision  1  of  section
 6311 of the education law, as added by section 1 of part F of chapter 56
 of the laws of 2025, are amended to read as follows:
   (c)  is matriculated at a community college of the state university of
 New York or the city university of New York, as defined  in  subdivision
 two  of  section  sixty-three hundred one of this article or subdivision
 four of section sixty-two hundred two of this title, respectively, in an
 approved program directly leading to an associate's degree in a high-de-
 mand field; provided that for the two thousand twenty-five -- two  thou-
 sand  twenty-six  academic  year,  such  fields shall include but not be
 limited to advanced manufacturing, technology, cybersecurity,  engineer-
 ing,  artificial  intelligence,  nursing  and allied health professions,
 green and renewable energy, and pathways to teaching in shortage  areas,
 provided  further that such fields may be updated annually thereafter by
 the department of labor no later than one hundred eighty days  prior  to
 the  first  start  date of the fall term of such community colleges, and
 provided further that the eligibility of such  approved  program  estab-
 lished in the semester for which the applicant makes initial application
 shall continue; AND
   (d)  is  eligible  for  the  payment  of tuition and fees at a rate no
 greater than that imposed for resident students in community  colleges[;
 and
   (e)  has  not already obtained any postsecondary degree, provided that
 nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the eligibility
 of a student who is already enrolled in  an  eligible  associate  degree
 program  on  the  effective  date  of this section and who meets all the
 other eligibility requirements of this subdivision].
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD13129-01-5

2025-S8685A - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Higher Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §6311, Ed L

2025-S8685A - Summary

Removes the requirement that an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship has not already obtained any postsecondary degree.

2025-S8685A - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8685A

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 modern 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 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.

2025-S8685A - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8685--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              January 7, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  FAHY  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed  to  the  Committee  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 the  qualification  of
   an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of  subdivision  1  of  section
 6311 of the education law, as added by section 1 of part F of chapter 56
 of the laws of 2025, are amended to read as follows:
   (c)  is matriculated at a community college of the state university of
 New York or the city university of New York, as defined  in  subdivision
 two  of  section  sixty-three hundred one of this article or subdivision
 four of section sixty-two hundred two of this title, respectively, in an
 approved program directly leading to an associate's  degree  OR  CERTIF-
 ICATE  in  a high-demand field; provided that for the two thousand twen-
 ty-five -- two thousand twenty-six  academic  year,  such  fields  shall
 include  but  not  be  limited  to  advanced  manufacturing, technology,
 cybersecurity, engineering, artificial intelligence, nursing and  allied
 health professions, green and renewable energy, and pathways to teaching
 in  shortage  areas,  provided  further  that such fields may be updated
 annually thereafter by the department of labor no later than one hundred
 eighty days prior to the first start date  of  the  fall  term  of  such
 community  colleges,  and  provided further that the eligibility of such
 approved program established in the semester  for  which  the  applicant
 makes initial application shall continue; AND
   (d)  is  eligible  for  the  payment  of tuition and fees at a rate no
 greater than that imposed for resident students in community  colleges[;
 and
   (e)  has  not already obtained any postsecondary degree, provided that
 nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the eligibility
 of a student who is already enrolled in  an  eligible  associate  degree
 program  on  the  effective  date  of this section and who meets all the
 other eligibility requirements of this subdivision].
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13129-03-6

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Higher Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §6311, Ed L

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Removes the requirement that an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship has not already obtained any postsecondary degree.

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8685B

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 advan-
tage 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.

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8685--B
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              January 7, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  FAHY  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed  to  the  Committee  on  Higher  Education  --
   committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
   recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged,  bill  amended,
   ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

 AN  ACT  to amend the education law, in relation to the qualification of
   an applicant for the New York opportunity promise scholarship
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Paragraphs  (c),  (d) and (e) of subdivision 1 of section
 6311 of the education law, as added by section 1 of part F of chapter 56
 of the laws of 2025, are amended to read as follows:
   (c) is matriculated at a community college of the state university  of
 New  York  or the city university of New York, as defined in subdivision
 two of section sixty-three hundred one of this  article  or  subdivision
 four of section sixty-two hundred two of this title, respectively, in an
 approved program directly leading to an associate's degree, CERTIFICATE,
 OR  CERTIFICATION  in  a  high-demand  field; provided that for the [two
 thousand twenty-five-- two thousand  twenty-six]  TWO  THOUSAND  TWENTY-
 FIVE--TWO  THOUSAND  TWENTY-SIX academic year, such fields shall include
 but not be limited to advanced manufacturing, technology, cybersecurity,
 engineering,  artificial  intelligence,  nursing   and   allied   health
 professions,  green  and  renewable  energy, and pathways to teaching in
 shortage areas, provided further that such fields may be updated annual-
 ly thereafter by the department of  labor  no  later  than  one  hundred
 eighty  days  prior  to  the  first  start date of the fall term of such
 community colleges, and provided further that the  eligibility  of  such
 approved  program  established  in  the semester for which the applicant
 makes initial application shall continue; AND
   (d) is eligible for the payment of tuition  and  fees  at  a  rate  no
 greater  than that imposed for resident students in community colleges[;
 and
   (e) has not already obtained any postsecondary degree,  provided  that
 nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the eligibility

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD13129-05-6
 S. 8685--B                          2

 of  a  student  who  is already enrolled in an eligible associate degree
 program on the effective date of this section  and  who  meets  all  the
 other eligibility requirements of this subdivision].
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S8685A

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2025-S8685 - Details

2025-S8685 - Summary

2025-S8685 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8685 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S8685A - Details

2025-S8685A - Summary

2025-S8685A - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8685A - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Senate Bill S8685A

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Sponsored By

Patricia Fahy

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2025-S8685 - Details

2025-S8685 - Summary

2025-S8685 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8685 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S8685A - Details

2025-S8685A - Summary

2025-S8685A - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8685A - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8685B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments