WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 10541

Relates to certificate of residence policies for community colleges

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Powers

The bill lets counties issue certificates of residence to non-resident community college students, enabling them to be treated as residents for enrollment and cost allocation.

SIGNED CHAP.124
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 10541

Summary of Bill A. 10541 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and intent

  • Relates to certificate of residence policies for community colleges.
  • Establishes and clarifies procedures for issuing certificates of residence to non-resident students and governs cost allocations and billing to counties for non-resident student enrollments.

Key provisions and changes

  • Issuance of certificates of residence (Subdivision 3):

    • The chief fiscal officer of each county must issue a certificate of residence to individuals enrolling in a community college as non-resident students, upon application with satisfactory evidence.
    • The certificate serves to show that the applicant is a resident of the issuing county.
    • Applicants are not required to disclose their Social Security numbers for this purpose.
    • If a county refuses to issue a certificate on grounds of non-residency or non-compliance with subdivision four-a rules, the applicant may appeal to the State University chancellor.
    • The chancellor (or designee) must hold a hearing, provide ten days’ notice to the county, and issue a final, binding determination.
    • For each college year, the student must file a certificate of residence with the college, issued no more than two months prior to registration. The certificate is valid for one year.
    • The State University trustees may promulgate regulations to implement these provisions.

  • Allocable costs and billing to counties (Subdivision 4):

    • If a community college elects to charge counties for the portion of operating and capital costs attributable to non-resident students, the college president must, within 45 days after the start of each term (or as else provided by regulations), send counties a list of non-resident students and a voucher detailing the amount each county owes.
    • The list and voucher are based on non-resident students enrolled as of specific points in the term (end of the third week for a semester program; end of the second week for a quarter; end of the first week for programs ≤ 30 days).
    • The chancellor or designated staff must notify counties of the approved annual charge-back rates for each college.
    • Counties must pay the billed amount to the college chief fiscal officer within 60 days of receipt of the billing.

  • Regulatory adjustments (Subdivision 4-a):

    • The State University Trustees are authorized and directed to promulgate rules setting:
    • (a) A schedule of late fees and exceptions for submitting a certificate of residence after the standard deadline but within the applicable semester or term.
    • (b) A reconciliation process for valid forms received after the list of non-resident students has been sent to counties.

  • Effective date: Immediate.

Who is affected

  • Counties: Responsible for issuing certificates of residence to eligible individuals and for paying charge-backs to community colleges if the college elects to allocate costs to counties.
  • Non-resident students: Individuals enrolling in New York community colleges who may obtain a county certificate of residence to qualify as resident for enrollment/cost purposes.
  • Community colleges: May bill counties for the allocable portion of operating and capital costs attributable to non-resident students; must submit lists and vouchers and comply with residency certification and reconciliation procedures.
  • State University trustees and administration: Authorized to promulgate implementing regulations and oversee the appeal process and charge-back framework.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Applicants apply for a county certificate of residence; certificates valid for one year and may be issued no more than two months before enrollment.
  • Appeals of county denials go to the State University chancellor, who conducts a hearing with ten days’ notice and renders a final determination.
  • Colleges must issue certificates to enrollments annually and provide lists/vouchers within 45 days after term starts, with billing cycles governed by a 60-day payment window after counties receive the bill.
  • The residency policy includes a late-fee and reconciliation framework to handle late submissions and adjustments after the initial list is sent to counties.

Notable details

  • The bill prohibits requiring social security numbers for issuing the certificate of residence.
  • Decisions by the chancellor are final and binding on the county.
  • The framework includes regulations to address late submissions and post-list adjustments, aiming to balance timely administration with accuracy.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law, or a brief impact analysis for a specific county or college.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.