Southern Tier, NY–The New York State Senate Majority, in partnership with the New York State Assembly and Governor Kathy Hochul, enacted the FY 2026-2027 State Budget, delivering historic investments in higher education to support students, families, educators, and schools across New York State.

Said Senator Lea Webb, “Making higher education more affordable and accessible is paramount to strengthening our communities. There are six higher education institutions in Senate District 52, and the work they do supports not only residents in our area but residents both nation- and world-wide. Programs like the Educational Opportunity Program, STEP and CSTEP, and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) mean that more students will be prepared and able to pursue higher education.” 

The budget delivers record investments in SUNY and CUNY institutions through expanded operational support, campus maintenance, research funding, and expanded educational opportunity programs. The enacted budget expands the New York Opportunity Promise Scholarship to include all SUNY and CUNY campuses offering associate degree programs in high-demand fields, and expands the Master’s in Education teacher incentive scholarship to include students pursuing master’s degrees in early childhood education.

For SUNY, the budget includes $795 million in total funding for critical maintenance projects; $100 million for research facilities; $442.3 million for community college operating support; and $52 million for the SUNY Educational Opportunity Program. Additional higher education investments include increased funding for the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), and Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), and a $40 million higher education capital matching grant program supporting private colleges and universities statewide.

The New York State Senate Democratic Majority remains committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education, expanding opportunities for academic success, and investing in the future of New York’s families and communities.

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