Governor Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget Continues to Make Sound Investments in Higher Education

In response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget, Kirsten Keefe, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy for New York at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), issued the following statement: 

“The Governor’s Executive Budget recognizes the continued importance of making higher education affordable for New Yorkers and the need to provide greater support and protections for students as federal oversight and assistance devolves.

“This year’s proposed budget includes several student-centered provisions. It freezes tuition rates at the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY), while increasing operational support; adds resources for veterans, foster youth, and students with disabilities; and increases funding for the state’s opportunity programs such as the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE), and Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP). While deeper investments are necessary to make the total cost of college affordable for all, the Governor’s $1 million investment for emergency funds to help SUNY and CUNY students meet their basic needs also marks a step in the right direction.

“We also commend the Governor for expanding SUNY and CUNY Reconnect by adding career paths eligible for free community college under the New York Opportunity Promise Scholarship program, including allowing adult learners who have a prior degree to return to the classroom and earn a nursing credential.

“We applaud the inclusion of $6 million for the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) as federal lending shifts and students increasingly turn to private lenders, where the terms and conditions are significantly riskier and more expensive than federal student loans. While the student loan protections and disclosures included in the budget are an improvement, we urge legislators to strengthen them to ensure student borrowers and cosigners are treated fairly and not taken advantage of by predatory lenders.

“TICAS commends Governor Hochul’s proposed affordability, basic needs, and college completion investments. We look forward to the release of the Senate and Assembly budgets and working to ensure higher education opportunities are accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers.”