NY A10288

Requires all SUNY and CUNY community colleges, senior colleges, and state-operated institutions to establish emergency aid grant programs for undergraduate students facing unexpected financial hardship due to unforeseen events

State will reimburse colleges for 50% of emergency aid grants disbursed, capped at $1,250 per student and $62,500 per campus annually

Emergency aid covers expenses including food, clothing, housing, course materials, technology, transportation, medical expenses, and child care—but cannot be used for outstanding tuition, fees, or student loan repayment

Grants will not count as income when calculating financial aid eligibility or expected family contribution

Higher Education Services Corporation must collect annual data from all participating institutions and publish reports including number of recipients, average grant amounts, retention rates, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes; effective date is August 1, 2027