Classes are starting up for college students… and they’re not cheap. The cost of higher education has risen in the 21st century, leading to what’s been called a “student debt crisis.” That’s why In Focus is looking into some of the options available to students here in New York to keep the bills from becoming overwhelming. New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney is a member of the state board of higher education. He says the state has been working on making its colleges more accessible for potential students within New York and beyond, which is why the state continues to invest in student aid programs for New York schools. Cooney says part of that is strengthening programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides students with a certain amount of debt-free money towards college. He says New York’s investment in student assistance isn’t just helping students, but also helping the state, by creating more trained workers to keep New York’s workforce strong.

​You can watch the full interview with New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney via the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.