NY A01569

Establishes a novel virus essential workers scholarship program for essential employees who worked during COVID-19 or another declared novel virus outbreak, and for children of essential employees who died from such viruses.

Scholarship awards cover tuition, mandatory fees, and non-tuition costs of attendance (room, board, transportation, books, supplies) at CUNY/SUNY institutions or other approved New York state programs, with amounts determined by institution type and cost of attendance.

Awards are payable for up to four academic years of undergraduate study, or five years if the program normally requires five years, and cannot exceed the student's total cost of attendance minus other scholarships and grants.

Commissioner must promulgate rules and regulations defining who qualifies as an essential employee and what constitutes a "novel virus" (defined as a virus or bacterial strain not previously identified in humans).

Scholarship program becomes effective immediately upon enactment.