Fellow New Yorkers, question about new NYS free college tuition program.....

[busy mom]

If you have not heard, beginning this Fall, New York students (within certain financial guidelines) will receive FREE college tuition at a State University.

My daughter has mentioned that she may "emancipate" herself, as our income is slightly higher than the threshold. I'm not even certain if that is possible, or what the ramifications may be. She lives on her own, pays her own way, and we do not claim her on our taxes. The only thing we provide is health insurance (and the occasional home cooked meal). But based on what I have read, her eligibility would still be based on mine and my husbands income.

It's an awesome scholarship program, but a little frustrating as we have three kids in college, and the program does not take that into account.

Curious to see what others think...

 

[Daniela Rose]

Here's some more info..

Cuomo’s Excelsior Scholarship provides free in-state tuition for students from families with adjusted gross incomes of $125,000 or less. It is the first program of its kind in the country to fully subsidize tuition at both four-year and community colleges.

Students must maintain a minimum grade-point average to qualify.

Lawmakers also approved a new tuition assistance program for students at private colleges that offers up to $3,000 in tuition grants. That assistance, too, comes with a requirement that a student remain in New York after graduation.

Students who receive free tuition and then leave the state for an advanced degree won’t have to pay the money back, assuming they return to New York once they complete their graduate studies. State officials also plan to make accommodations for graduates who leave the state for military service.

 

[Albort]

the whole remain in NY is kinda of a weird stipulation. I mean, that limits you to not a big list of jobs to apply for... :\

 

[elaine amj]

the whole remain in NY is kinda of a weird stipulation. I mean, that limits you to not a big list of jobs to apply for... :\

Well, I assume the state is making an investment in its residents hoping to make the money back in state income and property taxes when the students graduates and gets a job in New York State.

Not much different than a company paying for your tuition and asking u to agree to stay on for 3-5 years. Of course, if u get a better job offer, u are not forced to stay. U can just pay the money back.

 

[havaneselover]

the whole remain in NY is kinda of a weird stipulation. I mean, that limits you to not a big list of jobs to apply for... :\

It's just protecting their investment. If you received four years of "free" tuition and leave NYS after graduation, they'd convert that $26k into a loan. Frankly I'm surprised by how cheap in state tuition in NYS is. I know at William & Mary, it's about $20k for tuition in-state.

No advice for OP, sorry.

 

[havaneselover]

Well, I assume the state is making an investment in its residents hoping to make the money back in state income and property taxes when the students graduates and gets a job in New York State.

Not much different than a company paying for your tuition and asking u to agree to stay on for 3-5 years. Of course, if u get a better job offer, u are not forced to stay. U can just pay the money back.

Or any of the military academies.

 

[LadyD]

The scholarship is being phased in over three years with it applying to families making up to 100k the first year, 110k the second year, and 125k the third year. Students need to be full-time and average 30 credits per year, but it sounds like they might be building some hardship flexibility into this. If you receive the scholarship, you must stay and work in the state for the same number of years you receive the scholarship for, which makes sense since some areas of the state have serious brain drain issues.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/go...scholarship-program-will-provide-tuition-free

It looks like they have a place where you can sign up for more information as it is released.

If your daughter is over 18, I do not believe there is a way for her to "emancipate" herself from you for the purpose of her college education other than getting married or having a kid. Outside of those circumstances (and ones like growing up in foster care), it is extremely difficult and you basically have to wait until your 24. She should talk to her school's financial aid office since they would have the best information on how to help her (theoretically).

 

[TwoMisfits]

The biggest problem is the "stay for 4 years." If you get a better job offer at 3 years, you can't leave or you're still on the hook for all 4 years. If you can't get ANY job in NY, you are forced to look elsewhere and pay it all back or tread water for 4 years doing nothing. NY is not a bastion for jobs right now and that could be a dealbreaker for many, especially depending on majors.
You also have to get all the "free money" 1st...so you'll have to apply for anything and everything available.
This is also tuition only - room and board, books, supplies, etc do not count.
This also requires a certain min GPA.
And yes, the parent income always counts. So, at $125.1K, you do not get this discount.
This will likely make all of the state schools super-competitive for spots...and it will likely bring everyone looking for ways to "game" this into the state...it is a very gameable thing as written...and probably will be as enforced if you look at the ways government enforces anything.

And the taxpayers of NY will likely have a very large bill coming down the road...even though I have kids and could qualify, I'd never move to take advantage of this, but I can see many parents from NJ and CT strategically moving to take advantage of this deal for a few years and then moving out, leaving the bill for all the real long-term residents of the state.

Although I'm fascinated that the 4 year cost of school would only drop from $83K to $57K for a family - man, do they charge a lot in non-tuition!
EDIT: Can't get link to NY Times to work showing this fact...darn!

 

[Albort]

It's just protecting their investment. If you received four years of "free" tuition and leave NYS after graduation, they'd convert that $26k into a loan. Frankly I'm surprised by how cheap in state tuition in NYS is. I know at William & Mary, it's about $20k for tuition in-state.

No advice for OP, sorry.

yeah, i get that. i got a cousin who works as a civilian in the airforce, they paid him to go get his masters. I just wonder how the job economy would be like when everyone is looking for a job within new york.

 

[havaneselover]

The biggest problem is the "stay for 4 years." If you get a better job offer at 3 years, you can't leave or you're still on the hook for all 4 years. If you can't get ANY job in NY, you are forced to look elsewhere and pay it all back or tread water for 4 years doing nothing. NY is not a bastion for jobs right now and that could be a dealbreaker for many, especially depending on majors.
You also have to get all the "free money" 1st...so you'll have to apply for anything and everything available.
This is also tuition only - room and board, books, supplies, etc do not count.
This also requires a certain min GPA.
And yes, the parent income always counts. So, at $125.1K, you do not get this discount.
This will likely make all of the state schools super-competitive for spots...and it will likely bring everyone looking for ways to "game" this into the state...it is a very gameable thing as written...and probably will be as enforced if you look at the ways government enforces anything.

And the taxpayers of NY will likely have a very large bill coming down the road...even though I have kids and could qualify, I'd never move to take advantage of this, but I can see many parents from NJ and CT strategically moving to take advantage of this deal for a few years and then moving out, leaving the bill for all the real long-term residents of the state.

Although I'm fascinated that the 4 year cost of school would only drop from $83K to $57K for a family - man, do they charge a lot in non-tuition!
EDIT: Can't get link to NY Times to work showing this fact...darn!

I grew up in CT very close to NYS. I can't see moving a kid in high school (I assume the move would have to occur prior to high school graduation) to another state to save $26k over four years then moving out (moving is expensive). Plus a lot of people in the parts of CT and NJ that border NY make way too much to qualify.

 

[scrapquitler]

If you have not heard, beginning this Fall, New York students (within certain financial guidelines) will receive FREE college tuition at a State University.

My daughter has mentioned that she may "emancipate" herself, as our income is slightly higher than the threshold. I'm not even certain if that is possible, or what the ramifications may be. She lives on her own, pays her own way, and we do not claim her on our taxes. The only thing we provide is health insurance (and the occasional home cooked meal). But based on what I have read, her eligibility would still be based on mine and my husbands income.

It's an awesome scholarship program, but a little frustrating as we have three kids in college, and the program does not take that into account.

Curious to see what others think...

The thing I keep thinking about this that I haven't seen anyone mention is that the schools are going to be limited by their physical facilities. If they take 1000 freshman this year, they are still only going to be able to take 1000 freshman next year with this free program, so it's going to be a LOT more competitive to get accepted. But nobody is talking about that, just a lot of "oh I'm going to get to go for free".

And Tuition is just part of the story. Are 'fees' covered? Because here in CT the fees are as much as tuition is at the State University where my daughter studies.

 

[manning]

There's that word again "FREE"
It's not FREE. You pay for it with increase taxes!!! And we're educated?

 

[Westcoastwild]

Everyone is right, OP. Your daughter cannot "emancipate" herself until she's 24. Even if you were heavily in debt. Even if you "disowned" her. If you apply for a parent plus, get refused because of your credit, then she would qualify for state aid. (Have gone down that road with my parents, but unless you are literally on the brink of bankruptcy, you'll get accepted on that loan).

I honestly don't really get the staying in New York thing. If they can't get decent jobs, they won't really be contributing to the economy. It would make more sense if they were required to put time in as state workers- but then I suppose the state would have to create those positions, so maybe that's not viable

 

[wilkeliza]

Everyone is right, OP. Your daughter cannot "emancipate" herself until she's 24. Even if you were heavily in debt. Even if you "disowned" her. If you apply for a parent plus, get refused because of your credit, then she would qualify for state aid. (Have gone down that road with my parents, but unless you are literally on the brink of bankruptcy, you'll get accepted on that loan).

I honestly don't really get the staying in New York thing. If they can't get decent jobs, they won't really be contributing to the economy. It would make more sense if they were required to put time in as state workers- but then I suppose the state would have to create those positions, so maybe that's not viable

You can do it before 24 it is just very very hard because of situations exactly like this. I got my declaration of an independent of whatever it is for FASFA when I was 22/23 and graduated at 24.

If you have not heard, beginning this Fall, New York students (within certain financial guidelines) will receive FREE college tuition at a State University.

My daughter has mentioned that she may "emancipate" herself, as our income is slightly higher than the threshold. I'm not even certain if that is possible, or what the ramifications may be. She lives on her own, pays her own way, and we do not claim her on our taxes. The only thing we provide is health insurance (and the occasional home cooked meal). But based on what I have read, her eligibility would still be based on mine and my husbands income.

It's an awesome scholarship program, but a little frustrating as we have three kids in college, and the program does not take that into account.

Curious to see what others think...

OP emancipation is not easy. True legal emancupation means she is no longer your legal relative/child and she has to prove to the courts why that is so. It usually is for minors who were abandoned or disowned by the parents.

For financial aid it is just as hard and although it is not a true legal emancipation (you are still her legal next of kin) you need incredible proof that there is 0 relationship. It has to have 1-2 letters from professionals swearing to such and 2-3 from personal refernces also saying such. It isn't as simple as your daughter fully supporting herself it has to be you and your husband having 0 contact with her for a significant amount of time. When I did mine, i had a doctor, a therapist, and 3 personal references and still was held in processing and requests for more and more proof (call records, bank statements, everything I could show) and I was doing it for the real purpose of a child of abuse who left their parental home and had 0 and I mean 0 contact with their parent.

 

[Westcoastwild]

You can do it before 24 it is just very very hard because of situations exactly like this. I got my declaration of an independent of whatever it is for FASFA when I was 22/23 and graduated at 24.




OP emancipation is not easy. True legal emancupation means she is no longer your legal relative/child and she has to prove to the courts why that is so. It usually is for minors who were abandoned or disowned by the parents.

For financial aid it is just as hard and although it is not a true legal emancipation (you are still her legal next of kin) you meed incredible proof that there is 0 relationship. It has to have 1-2 letters from professionals swearing to such and 2-3 from personal refernces also saying such. It isn't as simple as your daughter fully supporting herself it has to be you and your husband having 0 contact with her for a significant amount of time. When I did mine, i had a doctor, a therapist, and 3 personal references and still was held in processing and requests for more and more proof (call records, bank statements, everything I could show) and I was doing it for the real purpose of a child of abuse who left their parental home and had 0 and I mean 0 contact with their parent.

Wow. Sheesh. I knew it was tough but that's crazy. I had friends whose parents had pretty much thrown them out of the house at 18 and didn't contribute any money towards their upkeep whatsoever. But the university told them that their parents still "existed" and could (literally- could- not would) support them, so they weren't eligible. Congrats on getting yourself out and getting through the red tape!

 

[LadyD]

You can do it before 24 it is just very very hard because of situations exactly like this. I got my declaration of an independent of whatever it is for FASFA when I was 22/23 and graduated at 24.




OP emancipation is not easy. True legal emancupation means she is no longer your legal relative/child and she has to prove to the courts why that is so. It usually is for minors who were abandoned or disowned by the parents.

For financial aid it is just as hard and although it is not a true legal emancipation (you are still her legal next of kin) you meed incredible proof that there is 0 relationship. It has to have 1-2 letters from professionals swearing to such and 2-3 from personal refernces also saying such. It isn't as simple as your daughter fully supporting herself it has to be you and your husband having 0 contact with her for a significant amount of time. When I did mine, i had a doctor, a therapist, and 3 personal references and still was held in processing and requests for more and more proof (call records, bank statements, everything I could show) and I was doing it for the real purpose of a child of abuse who left their parental home and had 0 and I mean 0 contact with their parent.

Wow. Sheesh. I knew it was tough but that's crazy. I had friends whose parents had pretty much thrown them out of the house at 18 and didn't contribute any money towards their upkeep whatsoever. But the university told them that their parents still "existed" and could (literally- could- not would) support them, so they weren't eligible. Congrats on getting yourself out and getting through the red tape!

A bit of an off topic rant....

I do think it is insane that you can sign up for the military at 18 and give your life for your country, but you cannot receive financial aid for your college education to improve your future without the government first checking to see how much your parents should contribute. All it does it perpetuate the government making money off the next generation by burdening them with huge fees to even access large parts of the job market.

Higher education is so screwed up in this country, and the job market doesn't help. There are way too many jobs that want that piece of paper showing you put in your approximately four years that absolutely do not require a college education to successfully complete the job. Very few four year undergraduate degrees actually prepare you with the essential skills you need to succeed in your field. So much is learned on the job.

Really, find the cheapest way possible to go to college and do something practical while you're in college. Go to community college for two years if you can't scrounge up enough scholarship money to cover most of your expenses and then transfer. If you're going to major in a degree that does not have direct translation into a specific job/field after four years, hold down a job while in school and do internships to build up your work history. College is fun, but going to college is not the golden ticket to success that you're brainwashed into believing growing up.

And the off topic rant is done.

I hope more steps are taken to make college more affordable in the coming years for those who wish to access it and it becomes less about what the government feels your family should be paying.

 

[Cosmic]

It's supposedly based on your AGI, so if your income is slightly too high, there is the standard deduction and other ways to fudge things so your AGI is lower.

 

[debf]

I think it's a great program. Unfortunately DD won't be able to take advantage of it. This fall she will be doing Disney College Program and I believe you have to be enrolled as a full time student. Also, room and board is not included. That is a large expense at school. DD moved off campus in January and has saved so much money.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

The thing that most people don't realize is that in countries that offer free tuition (a large portion of Europe), it is much more competitive to actually get into college. There is limited supply and therefore universities can be very selective with who they choose to accept. This is what will happen in NYS. This program will weed out mediocre students and those students will be forced to seek an education outside of the state (which will be more expensive). And by mediocre, that might mean having a B average, given the population of NYS v. available spots. I think this will be interesting for families that are over the income threshold with mediocre students that haven't saved much money towards their child's education. The cost will be much higher for these types of students.

And as someone said, this is based on your adjusted gross income. There are ways to bring that down, such as maxing out available retirement accounts, funding an HSA or FSA, sell stocks, mutual funds and other investments for a loss or lower any income from self-employment (or offset it with business losses). If you are close to the threshold, then you might want to consider what you can do to get under the level required to qualify.

 

[J.Casto79]

It's supposedly based on your AGI, so if your income is slightly too high, there is the standard deduction and other ways to fudge things so your AGI is lower.

Adjusted Gross Income is your income BEFORE deductions and exemptions, so not sure how that would help.