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Private colleges also benefit from a state tuition assistance program
New York State's Excelsior Scholarship program has already begun to make its mark at some of the Rochester area's public colleges.
"We've certainly seen an uptick in general inquiries and interest in the programs in Brockport," says Robert Wyant, director of undergraduate admissions at SUNY's College at Brockport.
Signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 12, the Excelsior Scholarship program allows qualified students to attend state institutions of higher learning tuition-free. About 80,000 students could qualify for the aid, according to the New York State Higher Education Services Corp. Lawmakers budgeted $87 million to implement the program in the upcoming school year alone. It does not cover room, board, fees or the costs of textbooks.
While local public colleges have praised the Excelsior scholarships, some private not-for-profits have sung a different tune.
"When the governor sets up a free state college tuition program, one of the byproducts that he is aware of is that it stands to eliminate the entire private college sector in this state," says Kenneth Macur, president of Medaille College.
Excelsior scholarships are available to full-time undergraduate students who attend two- or four-year state colleges or universities, are U.S. citizens and state residents, and come from families that earn no more than $100,000 a year. That ceiling will rise over the next two years, coming to $ 125,000 in 2019. Those who qualify will receive scholarships of up to $5,500 annually for as much as five years, depending upon the undergrad program.
"Students have to complete 30 credit hours per year, so they have to stay on track for graduation," says Susan Romano, director of financial aid for SUNY College at Geneseo. "The goal of the award is to help with college completion."
Qualified students can also obtain an additional $970...