N.Y.
Education Law Section 6311
New York opportunity promise scholarship
1.
Eligibility. A New York opportunity promise scholarship shall be awarded to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:(a)
is at least twenty-five years of age or older, but in no case more than fifty-five years of age, as of January first of the calendar year for the semester for which the applicant makes initial application;(b)
has applied for a New York state tuition assistance program award pursuant to § 667 (Tuition assistance program awards)section six hundred sixty-seven of this chapter, a federal Pell grant pursuant to section 1070 of title 20 of the United States code, et. seq., and any other applicable financial aid;(c)
is matriculated at a community college of the state university of New York or the city university of New York, as defined in subdivision two of § 6301 (Definitions)section sixty-three hundred one of this article or subdivision four of § 6202 (Definitions)section sixty-two hundred two of this title, respectively, in an approved program directly leading to an associate’s degree in a high-demand field; provided that for the two thousand twenty-five -- two thousand twenty-six academic year, such fields shall include but not be limited to advanced manufacturing, technology, cybersecurity, engineering, artificial intelligence, nursing and allied health professions, green and renewable energy, and pathways to teaching in shortage areas, provided further that such fields may be updated annually thereafter by the department of labor no later than one hundred eighty days prior to the first start date of the fall term of such community colleges, and provided further that the eligibility of such approved program established in the semester for which the applicant makes initial application shall continue;(d)
is eligible for the payment of tuition and fees at a rate no greater than that imposed for resident students in community colleges; and(e)
has not already obtained any postsecondary degree, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the eligibility of a student who is already enrolled in an eligible associate degree program on the effective date of this section and who meets all the other eligibility requirements of this subdivision.2.
Amount. Within amounts appropriated therefor, and subject to availability of funds, awards shall be granted for the two thousand twenty-five -- two thousand twenty-six academic year and thereafter to applicants who are determined to be eligible to receive such awards. Such awards shall be calculated on a per term basis prior to the start of each term the applicant is successfully enrolled and shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (a) the sum of actual tuition, fees, books, and applicable supplies charged to the applicant and approved by the applicable community college, less (b) the sum of all payments received by the applicant from all sources of financial aid received by the applicant with the exception of aid received pursuant to federal work-study programs authorized under sections 1087-51 through 1087-58 of title 20 of the United States code and educational loans taken by the applicant or guardian.3.
Additional provisions. An eligible recipient shall complete at least six credits per semester, for a total of at least twelve credits per academic year, in an approved program of study. An eligible recipient shall be continuously enrolled without a gap of more than one academic year, provided that such duration may be extended for an allowable interruption of study including, but not limited to, death of a family member, medical leave, military service, and parental leave. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this section, if an applicant fails to meet the eligibility criteria of this section at any point, no further awards shall be made to the applicant.4.
Conditions.(a)
An eligible recipient shall continue to make satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain continued eligibility for an award pursuant to this section.(b)
Each campus that enrolls students pursuant to this section shall take steps consistent with established policy to maximize the award of credit for prior learning for participating students.(c)
No student shall receive an award pursuant to this section for greater than ten semesters.(d)
A student who earns college credit pursuant to this section shall be entitled to transfer such credit to another state university of New York or city university of New York campus consistent with transfer policies established by the state university of New York or city university of New York.5.
Reporting. By September first, two thousand twenty-six, and by September first of each year thereafter, the chancellor of the state university of New York and the chancellor of the city university of New York shall each submit a report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, and the temporary president of the senate, including but not limited to the following information:(a)
enrollment data by full and part-time status;(b)
retention and completion rates by full and part-time status;(c)
barriers to student participation;(d)
demographic data related to the program;(e)
average prior learning and transfer credit awarded;(f)
the total amount of funds awarded and the average award per student; and(g)
post-completion outcomes including transfer, employment, and wages, as applicable.
Source:
Section 6311 — New York opportunity promise scholarship, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/6311 (updated Aug. 22, 2025; accessed Sep. 6, 2025).
