Free tuition a possibility for adult learners at SUNY community colleges
(WIVT/WBGH) – SUNY Community colleges are gearing up for a new era of learning after Governor Hochul's recent proposal, offering free tuition to adults looking to continue their education.
Hochul's historic proposal would make SUNY community colleges free for adult learners, ages 25 to 55, who are seeking a degree in high-demand industries such as nursing, education, engineering, advanced manufacturing and others.
The chancellor of SUNY, John King, says the state would completely cover the costs of tuition, books, supplies, and other fees.
King says to make it official, it has to make it into the governor's budget, which is expected to pass by April 1.
'We have four million New Yorkers who are working age and don't have a college degree. So, that's the population where we're looking to serve here. And we have a tradition of serving adult learners at SUNY. About 28% of our students are over age 25,' said King.
King says SUNY can be flexible by offering weekend classes, night classes, online work, and even childcare on some community college campuses.
SUNY Broome's president Tony Hawkins says the school will offer programs and events specifically for the adult learner demographic.
'Their connections as parents, their connections as people who have been already in the industry, provide a very different approach for us to engage them and make them feel a part of our community. So, these funds not only will help support the programs themselves but also ways that we can support adult learners,' said Hawkins.
The chancellor says adult learners will still be offered additional financial aid through state or federal funds. If passed in the budget, King says the free tuition program could start as early as the next fall semester.
You can read more about it at ny.gov.
Free tuition a possibility for adult learners at SUNY community colleges
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