The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) was established in 1974 to help eligible New York State residents pay tuition at approved institutions of higher education in New York State. Over the years, TAP has helped millions of New Yorkers pay for their college education. However, the cost of obtaining a college education has increased and the demographic of college students has changed since TAP's inception. Changes have been made to TAP over the years, including in the 2014-15 State Budget, which increased the maximum TAP award by $165 and moved orphans, foster children, and wards of the court from the independent TAP schedule to the dependent TAP schedule.

This hearing will seek testimony on the effectiveness of TAP, updates to the program and improvements that could be made. More specifically, it will seek testimony regarding the impact of the $165 increase in the maximum TAP award in the 2014-15 State budget; the implementation of the TAP schedule change for orphans, foster children, and wards of the court, including how many individuals are effected and plans for outreach to notify individuals of the change; information about the results and recommendations of TAP studies conducted by The State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) pursuant to Chapter 260 of the Laws of 2011; modifications that could be made to Part-Time TAP to increase participation and its effectiveness; the increasing need for remedial programs at the college level and how it affects students receiving TAP awards; the areas of TAP that may be improved to help increase retention and graduation rates at New York State colleges; ways in which New York State could use TAP funding more efficiently and effectively to achieve greater results; recent trends in student enrollment and demographics; and data relating to graduation and retention rates among all New York State colleges and universities.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Hon. Deborah J. Glick
Member of Assembly
Chairperson
Committee on Higher Education

---

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Examining the New York State Tuition Assistance Program are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: