The New York State budget passed both houses of the legislature on April 1, and there are some changes impacting the state’s public higher education system that the campus community should know about.
- The 2014-2015 budget increases community college base aid by $75 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student to $2,497. While the increased funding is a positive step, it is just half of the $150 per FTE increase we saw in each of the past two years.
- As you know, the state is working to tie the community college chargeback rate to the rate paid by each college’s county sponsor. This funding change was not implemented as part of this legislative cycle. It is anticipated that it will begin to take effect in 2016-17 following a June 2015 SUNY report to the state legislature.
As I have mentioned in all of the open sessions we have had on campus regarding this issue, Hudson Valley continues to work with SUNY, as well as state and county officials to mitigate the impact on Hudson Valley.
In other state budget news related to higher education:
- Increases the maximum benefit under the Tuition Assistance Program by $165, from $5,000 to $5,165.
- $8 million in funding for a new STEM scholarship program. Full tuition scholarships to any SUNY or CUNY college or university will be offered to the top ten percent of high school graduates if they pursue a STEM career and work in New York for five years.
- $102 million in funding is included for Higher Education Opportunity programs at SUNY, CUNY, private and independent colleges (EOP, SEEK, HEOP).
I will keep you appraised as any further updates. Thank you for continuing to do all that you do to make Hudson Valley Community College one of the most well-respected community colleges in the nation.
Drew Matonak
President
Published: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 11:40:50 +0000 by a.matonak