This bill creates a new instant lottery scratch-off game called the "veterans' benefit game," with all proceeds funding scholarships for veterans through New York's Veterans Tuition Awards Program. The lottery tickets must clearly state that profits support veterans, and the generated funds will be placed into a dedicated "Veterans' Education and Scholarship Fund" managed by the state education department and comptroller. The fund will provide scholarship money directly to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation to administer the veteran tuition program. This establishes a permanent funding source for veteran education benefits through state lottery revenue.
Authorizes the state university of New York trustees are hereby authorized and empowered, without any public bidding, to lease and otherwise contract to make available to the Abby Lane Housing Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation, a portion of the lands of the university for the purpose of building undergraduate and graduate student housing.
Enacts the "building retention and internship-to-degree graduate employment (BRIDGE) act"; provides limited work permits for students in a master of social work program; establishes policies and procedures for such work permit.
Clarifies the eligibility for the New York opportunity promise scholarship to prevent people from applying if they previously received a postsecondary degree within a certain timeframe.
Requires the administration of certain vaccines for children in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner, utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.
Establishes a transfer student appeal process to provide students with an option to pursue a second opinion regarding the status of their transfer credits from out-of-state schools, out-of-country schools, or non-public schools.
This bill expands New York's veterans tuition awards program by allowing qualified veterans to transfer unused education benefits to eligible family members. It directly affects veterans who served at least 10 years (with exceptions for certain discharges) but didn't use their full tuition benefit, enabling them to transfer it to a spouse, child, or surviving financial dependent who lives in New York. Key provisions include requiring children receiving transfers to be under 26, capping annual transfers at 100, and establishing application rules for the transfer process. The bill repeals outdated language about "survivor" definitions and updates eligibility terms to clarify who qualifies for these transferred benefits.
This bill removes a requirement that applicants for New York's Opportunity Promise Scholarship must not already hold a postsecondary degree. It directly affects students who previously earned a degree (e.g., a bachelor's) but now qualify if they enroll in an associate degree program at a SUNY or CUNY community college. The key change amends eligibility rules to allow these students to apply, while maintaining other requirements like enrollment in a high-demand field (e.g., nursing, cybersecurity, or teaching) and tuition residency rates. The bill takes effect immediately, applying to the 2025-2026 academic year.
Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program by restoring eligibility to graduate students; makes optional semesters, quarters or terms eligible for awards.
This resolution memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2026 as Mentoring Month in New York State, aligning with National Mentoring Month. It does not create new laws but requests the Governor issue a ceremonial proclamation to raise awareness about mentoring's role in supporting youth development. The resolution cites statistics showing mentoring improves college enrollment, leadership opportunities, and community engagement for at-risk youth and first-generation students. It directly affects New York residents by encouraging statewide recognition of mentoring programs, though the Governor's proclamation itself would have no legal effect.
