Military veterans and their spouses will no longer have to pay when they apply to study in the SUNY and CUNY systems, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday.
The move, timed to coincide with Monday’s 100th anniversary of Veterans Day, will save former service members and their husbands or wives between $50 and $65 each, Cuomo said.
“Generations of New Yorkers have fought to preserve the freedoms and ideals of this state and nation at great personal sacrifice, and we must do everything we can to support them once they get home,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement.
“Waiving the SUNY and CUNY application fees for veterans and their spouses will help these brave men and women and their families take the next steps in adapting back to civilian life and will help ensure they have the tools they need to succeed.”
The SUNY and CUNY trustees are expected to formalize the plan at their next board meetings, which are set for Nov. 20 and Dec. 16, respectively.
Cuomo’s office said that neither system would receive funding to offset their expected losses in revenue, which weren’t immediately available.
About 550,000 students took credit-bearing SUNY courses and programs during 2018-2019, and another 850,000 enrolled in continuing-education and community-outreach programs, according to the SUNY website.
CUNY had nearly 275,000 students enrolled in its community colleges and undergraduate graduate programs for fall of 2018, according to its website.
Annual undergraduate tuition for state residents is $7,070 for full-time SUNY students and $6,930 for full-time CUNY students.
One state college official called Cuomo’s move an “unfunded mandate.”
“Nobody disputes it’s a good cause for veterans. But no additional funding is being provided,” the source said.
“That means the money in part could have to come from the tuition of other students.”
“The increase in enrollment from this initiative will more than make up for any negligible loss of fees and it’s the right thing to do for those who protect our freedom,” said Cuomo spokesman Peter Ajemian.
In related announcements, Cuomo said he would introduce legislation to fast-track the creation of a state veterans cemetery and had ordered various landmarks — including One World Trade Center and the Kosciuszko Bridge — will be lit in red, white and blue in recognition of Veterans Day.