Provides that a scholarship for academic excellence that is declined by a student prior to the end of their high school program shall be granted to the next most qualified student, if practicable.
Summary
This bill amends New York’s Education Law governing scholarships for academic excellence. Under current law, if such a scholarship is declined or revoked, the award lapses and no further payments are made. The bill creates a limited exception: if a student declines the scholarship before the end of their high school program, the scholarship may, to the extent practicable, be offered to the next most qualified student under the existing selection criteria.
The measure is aimed at preserving the use of scholarship funds and ensuring that awards intended for high-achieving students do not go unused when an early decline occurs. It does not change the underlying eligibility standards for the scholarship program, but it does add a redistribution mechanism for awards that are turned down before a student finishes high school. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill amends section 605-a of the Education Law, which governs scholarships for academic excellence, by adding a process for reassigning a declined scholarship to another qualified student when the decline occurs before the end of the student’s high school program. This affects the State Education Department and scholarship recipients by reducing the likelihood that scholarship opportunities lapse unused, while preserving the existing ranking and selection framework for awards.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It advanced unanimously through the Assembly Higher Education, Ways and Means, and Rules Committees, then passed the Assembly and Senate floor votes without any dissenting votes. The voting history suggests the proposal was viewed as a straightforward administrative improvement to an existing scholarship program.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive controversy in the available record. The only potential point of implementation concern is the bill’s qualifier that reassignment occurs only “to the extent practicable,” which leaves some discretion to administrators and could raise questions about how and when a declined award is reassigned. Otherwise, the measure’s narrow scope and unanimous votes indicate no major disagreement among lawmakers or committees.
Same As
Provides that a scholarship for academic excellence that is declined by a student prior to the end of their high school program shall be granted to the next most qualified student, if practicable.
Provides that a scholarship for academic excellence that is declined by a student prior to the end of their high school program shall be granted to the next most qualified student, if practicable.
Provides that a scholarship for academic excellence that is declined by a student or is revoked for any reason shall be granted to the next most qualified student.
Provides that beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, certain graduate students shall be required to pay 25% of all current and future mandatory university fees; provides that in the 2027-2028 academic year and thereafter, no mandatory university fees shall be charged to certain graduate students and adjunct staff, with the exclusion of the graduate student association student activity fee.
Provides that beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, certain graduate students shall be required to pay 25% of all current and future mandatory university fees; provides that in the 2027-2028 academic year and thereafter, no mandatory university fees shall be charged to certain graduate students and adjunct staff, with the exclusion of the graduate student association student activity fee.
Authorizes SUNY and CUNY to provide emergency aid grants to certain students; provides that the state shall reimburse half of all such grants provided; requires the higher education services corporation to provide an annual report on such programs.
Authorizes SUNY and CUNY to provide emergency aid grants to certain students; provides that the state shall reimburse half of all such grants provided; requires the higher education services corporation to provide an annual report on such programs.