Five Years of Progress: New York Expands College Access and Affordability Under Governor Kathy Hochul
Published
Five Years of Action Have Expanded Financial Aid, Strengthened SUNY and CUNY and Created New Pathways to College and Careers
Historic TAP Expansion, Free Community College and Increased Support for Students Are Helping More New Yorkers Pursue a Degree
ALBANY, NY- The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) today marked five years of progress under Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership to make higher education more affordable, accessible, and attainable for New Yorkers. Since taking office in August 2021, Governor Hochul has expanded financial aid to reach more students and working families, expanded programs and opportunities at SUNY and CUNY, and opened new pathways for adult learners to pursue a college education. Together, these efforts are helping more New Yorkers earn a degree, build a career, and create a future here in New York.
“Higher education should open doors to opportunity for every New Yorker, regardless of where they come from or how much their family earns,” Governor Hochul said. “New York has a responsibility to make sure a college education is within reach and that our public colleges and universities are preparing students for the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow. We are investing in pathways that meet New Yorkers where they are, connecting education to the needs of our workforce, and giving students they need to succeed. Whether a student is starting college for the first time or returning to school later in life, we want them to know there is a place for them in New York’s higher education system and a path to a brighter future here at home.”
Over the past five years, New York has enacted the most significant expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), one of the nation’s most robust state financial aid programs. The state has also expanded aid for part-time students, implemented Universal FAFSA, made community college free for eligible adult learners and saved New Yorkers millions of dollars in college application fees. At SUNY and CUNY, sustained state support has strengthened campuses, expanded student success programs and helped both systems achieve three consecutive years of enrollment growth from fall 2023 to fall 2025.
EXPANDING COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESS
Governor Hochul has overseen one of the most significant expansions of student financial aid in New York in decades. The maximum TAP award increased by $500 to $5,665 in 2021-22, its largest increase in 20 years, and TAP was subsequently expanded to part-time students. The Governor later secured a historic expansion that increased the income eligibility threshold for dependent students from $80,000 to $125,000, raised eligibility limits for independent students and doubled the minimum TAP award from $500 to $1,000. Part-Time TAP has since been expanded further to eligible students taking as few as three credits. In 2024, Governor Hochul expanded TAP to offer short-term non-degree and micro credential programs at SUNY and CUNY.
According to TAP Difference Report released in March 2024, TAP recipients were 2.2 times more likely to graduate from four-year colleges when compared to students who did not receive TAP. The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has helped turn those investments into opportunities for students across the State. In 2024-25 alone, HESC administered $935 million in state financial aid to more than 294,000 students, a 7.1% increase from the $873 million administered the previous year. This was made possible through TAP, the Excelsior Scholarship, and other grant, scholarship, and loan forgiveness programs.
HESC also provides targeted support for New Yorkers who have served our country. In 2024-25, the Veterans Tuition Award awarded more than $1.5 million to more than 370 veterans. Beginning in the 2027-28 academic year, eligible veterans can transfer their unused award for eligibility to a family member, such as a spouse, a child up to the age of 26, or financial dependent.
Under Governor Hochul's leadership, HESC has expanded its work beyond administering aid to help more students successfully navigate the path to college. Through statewide financial aid outreach, assistance with FAFSA and TAP completion, partnerships with schools and community organizations, and expanded digital resources, HESC has connected millions of New Yorkers with information and support. These efforts, together with Universal FAFSA, helped New York rise to sixth in the nation for FAFSA completion.
HESC, in partnership with SUNY, CUNY, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities and the Association of Private Colleges, has helped remove the cost of applying to college through New York State College Application Month. In the 2024-25 academic year, fees were waived for more than 300,000 applications, saving New York students and families an estimated $15 million.
STRENGTHENING SUNY AND CUNY
Governor Hochul has made sustained investment in New York's public higher education systems a cornerstone of her higher education agenda. Across her first four enacted budgets, state operating support for higher education increased by $1.7 billion, or 28 percent, from $6.2 billion to $7.9 billion. The state has invested in faculty and campus infrastructure, expanded research and workforce development, and increased support for programs designed to help students stay in college and earn their degrees.
Those investments have helped strengthen SUNY and CUNY at a time when colleges nationwide faced enrollment challenges. SUNY enrollment increased 6.5 percent between fall 2022 and fall 2025, including a 9.1 percent increase at community colleges, and every SUNY sector has now recorded enrollment growth for three consecutive years. CUNY enrollment has increased 9 percent since fall 2023 through the 2025-26 academic year, adding approximately 21,000 students across the system.
The Governor also expanded student success initiatives, including SUNY and CUNY's ASAP and ACE programs, which provide academic, financial, and personal supports to improve retention and graduation, while creating new pathways into public higher education through initiatives including the SUNY Top 10% Promise.
CREATING NEW PATHWAYS FOR ADULT LEARNERS
In 2025, Governor Hochul made community college free for eligible New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 who are pursuing an associate degree in a high-demand field. The SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program covers tuition fees, books and supplies for eligible students. The initiative is giving adult learners a new path back to college.
Since the program's launch, more than 12,000 New Yorkers have enrolled through SUNY and CUNY combined. Building on that earlier success, the FY 2027 Enacted Budget invests more than $65 million in the program to expand eligibility to additional high-demand fields and public institutions, creating more opportunities for adult learners across New York.
The FY 2027 Budget also freezes resident undergraduate tuition at SUNY and CUNY, continuing the Governor's efforts to ensure New York's public higher education systems remain affordable for students and families.
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Acting President Doris González said, “Governor Hochul has made it clear that higher education must be within reach for every New Yorker who wants to pursue it. Over the last five years, we have expanded financial aid to reach more students and working families while strengthening the support students receive as they plan, apply, and pay for college. HESC is proud to help carry out our shared commitment and connect New Yorkers with the resources and opportunities they need to pursue their education and build their future.”
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "Financial aid and transformational programs like SUNY Reconnect, the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program, and ASAP|ACE are integral to ensuring there is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker. The Empire State Service Corps FAFSA Corps helps New York high school students understand the importance of filling out FAFSA forms to ensure they have access to financial assistance as they pursue an affordable, excellent public higher education at the SUNY campus of their dreams. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for removing barriers to higher education and helping students achieve their dreams."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Over the last five years, Governor Hochul's significant investment and steadfast leadership has increased access to affordable academic excellence. SUNY campuses throughout New York State work with students to ensure they are able to thrive on campus and achieve an affordable, excellent public higher education that opens doors to a successful future after graduation. Through TAP, Universal FAFSA, and other innovative initiatives, New York is providing life-changing opportunities that allow all students to reach their full potential."
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “Governor Hochul’s sustained support over the past five years has helped CUNY drive a 9% enrollment increase and welcome approximately 21,000 more students to our campuses since fall 2023. By freezing tuition, expanding TAP, and investing in high-impact student success programs like ASAP, ACE and CUNY Reconnect, New York has made a world-class public education more affordable and accessible than ever. We thank Governor Hochul for her visionary leadership, which continues to break down financial barriers and ensure public higher education remains a powerful pathway to opportunity for all New Yorkers.”
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Learning is a life-long process, and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is committed to enhancing knowledge and opportunities for all New Yorkers - regardless of age or ability. We appreciate Governor Hochul’s continued investments to improve access to higher education especially for students who would otherwise be unable to attend due to their educational and economic circumstances. By working together with our partners, institutions, and communities, we can continue to make postsecondary education attainable, strengthen support systems for students, and ensure they have the credentials and confidence to navigate the evolving demands of the workforce.”
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Lola W. Brabham said, “Over the past five years, Governor Hochul has demonstrated a sustained commitment to expanding access to higher education and creating pathways to opportunity for New Yorkers. From the historic expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program to waiving application fees for NYS College Application Month, the Independent sector is proud to partner with the Governor and HESC to help connect more students with the full range of higher education opportunities available across New York. Together, these investments help remove financial barriers at critical points along a student’s path to a college degree as well as strengthen student choice, expand pathways from college to meaningful careers, and support the critical workforce New York needs. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued leadership and look forward to building on this progress.”
President of New York's Association of Private Colleges Donna Stelling-Gurnett said, “Throughout the past five years, Governor Hochul has been steadfast in her commitment to expanding upon excellence, access and affordability - the fundamental values of APC member institutions. By working together with the governor, HESC, our legislative champions and partners throughout the higher education sector, we have secured historic investment in TAP and promoted resources that will help more students pursue a degree that helps them to achieve fulfilling careers here in New York.”
New York State offers one of the nation's most comprehensive systems of student financial aid and public higher education. HESC administers 28 grant, scholarship, and loan forgiveness programs, including TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship, while SUNY's 64 campuses and CUNY's 27 colleges provide academic, research, and workforce opportunities to students across the State. Students and families can access financial aid information and college planning resources at hesc.ny.gov and explore academic opportunities available through SUNY and CUNY.
Visit hesc.ny.gov for more information on New York State’s grant, scholarship and loan forgiveness programs or for resources, tools and support completing financial aid applications.
Visit suny.edu for information on SUNY campuses and more than 7,500 degrees, certificates, & continuing education programs throughout New York State.
Visit cuny.edu for information on CUNY’s university and colleges or one of their 2,800 Majors & Programs.
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