MIDDLETOWN – Lt. Governor Kathy
Hochul has been making her rounds across the state promoting Governor
Cuomo’s proposed Excelsior Scholarship program as the state budget
deliberations are in their last week. The spending plan must be adopted
by midnight, Friday, March 31.
Hochul visited the SUNY Orange Middletown campus on Monday to discuss
the free tuition plan and the benefits she believes are crucial to the
young workforce of tomorrow.
The Excelsior scholarship would allow for students to receive funds, in
addition to already received TAP, Pell grants and financial aid, to close
the financial gap of those programs, essentially granting New York students
free tuition at an SUNY two or four year school.
Hochul said the governor is confident that Senate Republicans and Assembly
Democrats will agree to pass the budgeted $163 million for the program
to be included in this year’s spending plan.
Making sure young people all across the state have a shot at the American
Dream is what Hochul said this is truly focused on.
“That’s what this is all about: opening the doors of opportunity,
the same as a generation ago when you get great jobs with a high school
diploma.” she said. “Now, you need, at least, a college diploma.”
To further the administration’s position, Hochul cited an enormous
amount of future jobs will need educated, young individuals.
“In fact, in the State of New York in a matter of very short years,
3.5 million jobs – 3.5 million will require a two, or four, year diploma,”
said Hochul. “So, it’s all about individuals having a shot
at the American Dream, but it’s also about the New York State economy:
making sure that our employers have the workers, with the skills they
need, to step into the jobs of tomorrow.”
Lt. Governor Hochul will continue her rounds, visiting four more SUNY
institutions, to promote the Excelsior Scholarship.
