Education (Seniors)

This bill allows New York State residents aged 65 and older to enroll in up to nine credit hours of courses at state and city universities without paying tuition. The provision applies to both the State University of New York system and the City University of New York, permitting these seniors to take classes for academic credit. Eligible individuals must be state residents, and the bill specifies that this tuition waiver takes effect starting April 1 of the following year.

Establishes a pilot program for schools with active aging programs or specializations in place; creates a curriculum team that shall identify areas that are most relevant to persons working with older adults currently, and/or represent emerging and evidenced-based practices and create a suggested syllabus template for an advanced-year practice class in the field of aging; creates the workforce development center for professional development in gerontological/geriatric education.

Establishes an intergenerational educational and mentoring service program in the state office for the aging to provide assistance by persons age 55 or older to students in elementary schools; details grant funding, based on appropriations; describes reporting requirements.