This week, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), a member on the Assembly Higher Education Committee, advocated for a plan that would help current and prospective students plan for college. The legislation highlights the importance of providing financial assistance and guidance to middle-class families while also giving students options that would help better prepare them for the future.

“It’s no secret that college comes at a hefty cost,” said Ra. “When it’s time for kids to go to college, one of the biggest questions for most parents and students across the state is ‘how can we afford this?’

“My colleagues and I want families to know that we have a plan to help students achieve their dreams of pursuing a higher education. By alleviating the financial burden of costly tuition fees and creating programs that offer greater options and incentives, students will be more prepared for their next step come graduation day,” said Ra.

The legislation introduced by Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) would:

• Stimulate a three-part plan to accelerate career readiness and reduce the burden of student debt (A.8695>);
• Require any higher education institution receiving state funding to disclose additional information to current and prospective students (A.8681);
• Create a Student Loan Payment Tax Deduction that will aid recent graduates in paying off their debts by reducing their tax burden (A.8675);
• Ensure the state invests in community colleges for students across New York (A.8691); and
• Call on the federal government for greater refinancing options of federal student loan debt (K.00903).

Additional legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I-Brooklyn/Staten Island) and co-sponsored by Ra would:

• Increase the threshold income cap on tuition assistance for the first time in 16 years, from $80,000 to $100,000 (A.3049); and
• Restore graduate programs as eligible for approval under the state Tuition Assistance Program for the first time since it was eliminated in 2010 (A.3051).