New York State Budget Update

On April 23, 2008, Governor David A Paterson signed legislation enacting the 2008-09 New York State Budget which included changes to certain grant, scholarship and loan forgiveness programs. Following is a summary of these changes.

Tuition Assistance Program

The New York State Budget for 2008-09 calls for full funding of the Tuition Assistance Program.

Veteran Tuition Awards

Section 669-a of the Education Law was amended to significantly increase the Veterans Tuition Award to a maximum of SUNY tuition. This benefit was also extended to include additional groups of combat veterans.

Other Grant, Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Programs

Other grant, scholarship and loan forgiveness programs were reduced by 2%.

    Merit Based Scholarships
    In order to implement this reduction, HESC and the State Education Department have reduced the number of new scholarship recipients under the following programs:
    • Scholarship for Academic Excellence
    • Regents Health Care
    • Regents Professional Opportunity
    • Math & Science Teaching Incentive

    Students who are awarded these scholarships will receive the full statutory award.

    Entitlement Scholarships
    Scholarships whose eligibility is an entitlement must be paid to each eligible student. Therefore, individual award amounts will be reduced by 2% in order to meet the statutorily mandated savings.

    Scholarships in this category are listed below and include the Veterans Tuition Award, which was increased in permanent law.
    • Child of Veteran Award
    • Memorial Scholarship For Families of Deceased Firefighters, Police Officers, Volunteer Firefighters, Peace Officers and Emergency Medical Service Workers.
    • World Trade Center Memorial
    • Military Service Recognition
    • Flight 587 Memorial
    • Veterans Tuition Award
    • Volunteer Recruitment Service

    Aid for Part-Time Study
    The Aid for Part-Time Study program appropriation was decreased by 2%; school allocations will be based on this reduced appropriation.

    Loan Forgiveness Programs
    To meet budget targets, the number of new loan forgiveness recipients will be reduced.

Please direct questions about this bulletin to Operational Services at (518) 474-3552 or tappolicy@hesc.org