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State budget includes free community college tuition for adult learners, including OCC students

Onondaga Community College (OCC) said it is grateful that the fiscal-year 2026 state budget includes funding to cover free tuition for adult learners at community colleges seeking education in high-demand occupations. (Eric Reinhardt / CNYBJ file photo)

ONONDAGA, N.Y. — The newly enacted state budget includes funding to allow free tuition for adult learners aged 25 to 55 who are interested in high-demand fields.

The new budget provides $47 million ($28.2 million SUNY, $18.8 million CUNY) to cover the remaining cost of tuition, fees, and books for community-college students ages 25-55 pursuing select associate degrees in high-demand occupations, including nursing, pathways into teaching, technology and engineering, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday.

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature for their historic investment in community colleges, which will significantly enhance financial access to higher education for adult learners,” Warren Hilton, president of Onondaga Community College (OCC), said. “This forward-thinking initiative, coupled with Onondaga Community College’s unwavering commitment to educating the workforce of tomorrow, promises a bright and prosperous future for Central New York. With 85% of our graduates choosing to live and work within 25 miles of our campus, we are excited to see how this transformative investment in community college education will not only shape the future of our region, but also enrich the lives of all who take advantage of the opportunity.”

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Capital investments

The measure — which Hochul signed Friday as part of the new state budget — also provides funding for both SUNY and CUNY campuses.

The campus capital investments include $900 million for modernization and revitalization of SUNY hospitals ($450 million each for Upstate Medical University and Downstate Medical University).

They also include $979 million for other projects at SUNY state-operated campuses ($610 million) and CUNY senior colleges ($369 million);

The state will also spend $433 million for research facilities at SUNY state-operated campuses ($300 million) and CUNY senior colleges ($133 million); $166 million for community colleges ($131 million SUNY, $35 million CUNY); and $25 million to establish the Green Energy Loan Fund at SUNY, Hochul’s office said.

 

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