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Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a plan to provide free community college tuition for adults aged 25 to 55 in New York State. The proposal aims to help over four million working-age adults without a college degree or credential by covering tuition, fees, and books at any State University of New York (SUNY) or City University of New York (CUNY) community college. The plan targets those pursuing associate degrees in high-demand fields such as nursing, teaching, technology, and engineering.
Hochul unveiled the proposal at Onondaga Community College, emphasizing the importance of workforce development in filling future job demands. "When my dad got a college education, our whole family got a shot at a better life – and I want New Yorkers to have that opportunity," Hochul stated. The initiative, part of her 2025 State of the State agenda, is expected to cost $28 million.
The plan is designed to support New York's economic growth, particularly in sectors like semiconductor manufacturing. State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. highlighted the potential impact, saying, "SUNY’s community colleges are incredible engines of upward mobility, and Governor Hochul’s Free Community College plan will literally change the lives of New Yorkers seeking a degree in a high-demand field."
If approved, the initiative could start as early as this fall, providing significant opportunities for adult learners and helping meet the workforce needs of companies like Micron, which is investing heavily in New York. The proposal is part of a broader effort to make higher education more accessible and affordable, building on previous expansions of the Tuition Assistance Program.