In response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address on January 14, Kirsten Keefe, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy for New York at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), issued the following statement:
“We applaud Governor Kathy Hochul’s recognition in this year’s State of the State of the importance of higher education for New Yorkers to achieve social mobility and build wealth while enabling the state to meet its workforce development needs.
“The Governor’s proposal for free community college—including books, fees, and transportation—to 25- to 55-year-olds means that financially vulnerable New Yorkers will be able to shift into higher paying careers and thrive in today’s economy. The state must ensure that the program is buttressed by the resources needed to enable students, the majority of whom will likely be independent and juggling many financial responsibilities, to afford the total cost of college and remain enrolled through graduation.
“We also applaud the state’s continued investment in and expansion of proven college completion programs at SUNY. Advancing Success in Associate Pathways and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ASAP/ACE) are national models proven to help students with low incomes get college degrees with the right supports, including financial assistance for total cost of attendance, personalized advising and career counseling, and a community of peers.
“Additionally, building a State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) that connects key education, financial aid, and workforce data will position the state to improve the efficacy of its investments and support the interventions that yield the best educational and career outcomes.
“We urge the Governor and the state to build on these thoughtful investments by improving the structure of the state’s cornerstone Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). By increasing years of eligibility, increasing aid to independent students, and allowing more students to access the maximum award, the state will be better positioned to realize economic and student success from the Governor’s proposals.
“We look forward to the release of Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget and learning more about these initiatives to ensure higher education opportunities are accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers.”
