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A 11145

Requires regulations fixing tuition rates for students once matriculated in a two or four-year program at any state-operated institution of the state university

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Steck

SUNY schools would lock a student’s tuition at the rate in effect at matriculation for the duration of their two-year or four-year program.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 11145

Summary: Bill A 11145 (2025-2026) – Fixed Tuition for State University Students

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill seeks to ensure that students enrolled in two-year or four-year undergraduate programs at any state-operated institution within the State University of New York system have tuition that remains fixed at the rate in effect at the time of their matriculation.
  • In other words, once a student begins a degree program, their tuition rate would not change during their tenure in that program, regardless of subsequent policy shifts or tuition adjustments.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Adds a new subparagraph (1-a) to paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the Education Law.
  • The core requirement: a state-operated SUNY institution must provide regulations that fix tuition payments for each student at the rate in effect at the time of their matriculation into a two-year or four-year program.
  • The provision is stated as “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation,” signaling that this fixed-rate protection overrides other conflicting rules.
  • Effective immediately upon enactment.

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Students: Those enrolled in two-year or four-year academic programs at any state-operated institution within the State University system.
  • Institutions: All SUNY state-operated higher education institutions that host two-year and four-year programs.
  • The measure aims to shield students from future tuition hikes over the course of their degree program.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill is introduced in the Assembly by M. of A. Steck and referred to the Committee on Higher Education.
  • Effective date: Immediate (the act takes effect as soon as it becomes law).
  • Sponsor/Support: Includes a co-sponsor (Philip Steck).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Financial certainty for students: Students and families would know the exact tuition rate for the duration of a program, aiding budgeting and financial planning.
  • Institutional budgeting: SUNY system would need to manage fixed-rate tuition, potentially requiring changes to financial planning, scholarship policies, and future tuition-setting processes.
  • Equity and access: Could affect students who take longer than the standard program duration or those who transfer between SUNY institutions; the bill text emphasizes matriculation into a two-year or four-year program, but implementation details would determine handling of delays or interruptions.
  • Policy interactions: The clause “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law” indicates this provision takes precedence over conflicting laws, rules, or regulations.

Overall Assessment

Bill A 11145 introduces a straightforward policy: lock in a student’s tuition rate at the time of matriculation for the duration of their two-year or four-year SUNY program. If enacted, it would provide tuition stability for undergraduate students across SUNY institutions and necessitate corresponding regulatory changes within the SUNY system to implement and enforce fixed-rate tuition for eligible programs.

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

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