Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo is hailing the state’s decision to grant in-state tuition to displaced students from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Cuomo is applauding the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees for endorsing his idea to give in-state tuition to displaced students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
New York authorized in-state tuition for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Rates vary between the state’s public colleges and universities, but the typical in-state student can save roughly $10,000 a year.
The discount is available for the 2017-2018 academic year at all SUNY schools. The board also voted to recommend a similar initiative at the state’s 30 community colleges.
“New York is stepping up to the plate to support our brothers and sisters in need,” Cuomo said. “Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands face a long and difficult path to recovery, but it is a path that we will walk together every step of the way.”
SUNY has a “responsibility, as a public institution, to step in and help students when circumstances beyond their control may affect their ability to attend, pay for, and succeed in college,” said SUNY Board Chair H. Carl McCall.
“It is our hope that by easing the financial burden for students displaced by Hurricane Maria, they can stay in school and continue to work towards a degree,” added SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson.
