State lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul are marking a milestone this month in a long awaited effort to expand the state’s Tuition Assistance Program, or TAP. More than 40,000 newly eligible New York state students have submitted TAP applications for the 2024-25 academic year. It comes as the state projected that changes in this year's budget could benefit about 93,000 students.

State Assemblymember Pat Fahy, who chairs the Higher Education Committee, said in addition to raising the income threshold from $80,000 to $125,000 per year, state lawmakers also increased the minimum TAP award from $500 to $1,000, and increased income limits for married and independent students. The expansion program also includes extending eligibility to part-time students and those enrolled in non-degree programs, which they say opens doors for students who are pursing a non-traditional path.

“Investing in these students makes a huge difference,” she said. “Every family up to $125,000 is seeing this increased assistance."

Fahy told Spectrum News 1 the program has been stagnant for about half of its existence, and changes she and other lawmakers pushed to be included in the 2025 state budget are making up for years of lost time.

“It’s only a 50-year program and for the last 25 years its been basically ignored," she said. "These are the most significant changes in 25 years.”

State University of New York officials applauded the move, saying that 52% of in-state SUNY students attend tuition-free due to TAP and other state and federal aid.

“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and increasing eligibility for the Tuition Assistance Program is a huge win for New York students and their families as they strive for college degrees and upward mobility,” said SUNY Chancellor John King. “The increase in TAP applications from students who were previously ineligible is proof positive that the eligibility expansion will improve lives.”

Fahy emphasized, though, that the work is far from over. She said unfinished business from this update include further changes for independent students, and expanding eligibility beyond eight semesters if needed.

“There are students who because of life circumstances might need that extra semester, or have to take time out to care for children, so we’d like to see a little extension there,” she said.