ASSEMBLY MAJORITY BLOCKS TUITION ASSISTANCE INCREASE

Assemblyman Lupinacci

Majority members in the Assembly’s Committee on Higher Education voted May 10, 2016 to block Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci’s (R,C,I-South Huntington) proposed increase to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Opposing members within the committee voted to hold Lupinacci’s bill (A.5809-A) from leaving committee, where it can expire at the conclusion of Legislative Session in June. This is just another example of the Assembly Majority putting politics before the best interests of New Yorkers.

“It is extremely disappointing that Majority members of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education chose today to hold Assembly Bill 5809-A, which would expand tuition assistance to thousands of New Yorkers,” said Lupinacci. “With the increasing cost in college tuition, it only seems logical to increase the amount our scholars can be awarded. It has been over a decade since the TAP award amounts were last re-evaluated. We need to ensure our financial assistance programs keep up with the skyrocketing costs of college education.”

If passed, this legislation would increase the maximum eligible income bracket from $80,000 to $100,000 and also increase the maximum TAP award to $6,470.

“Once again, common-sense legislation has been disregarded by the Assembly Majority. The affordability of higher education is not a Democrat or a Republican debate; it is a serious issue which faces families all across Long Island and New York State. We must do more to enable all New Yorkers to pursue their dreams of attaining a higher level of education,” said Lupinacci.