On July 1st, as a part of the fiscal year 2026 enacted budget, Governor Kathy Hochul launched the CUNY and SUNY Reconnect Initiative, a new program aimed at providing adult students aged 25-55 without college degrees with free tuition for study in-demand STEM subjects.
Starting in Fall 2025, New York residents pursuing an associate’s degree in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy, engineering, technology, pathways to teaching, nursing, and healthcare will be able to study tuition-free across SUNY and CUNY campuses. If they meet the age criteria and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester.
Students in good academic standing, have filed their FAFSA application, have been accepted for NYS TAP or the NYS DREAM Act and can complete their degree within ten semesters, all new, transfer, or continuing adult learners are eligible to take part in this program.
“The cost of pursuing a degree should never be a barrier for New Yorkers — that’s why we’re opening the doors of opportunity at SUNY and CUNY so that students can achieve their dreams. I’m fighting to make education more affordable and accessible, and the Reconnect program will continue to pave the way forward for students as they enter our State’s future workforce,” Governor Hochul said in her July 1st press release.
The CUNY and SUNY Reconnect initiative is an expansion of an earlier CUNY initiative. The CUNY Reconnect, which was originally introduced by New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in 2022, helped enroll 16,319 students into CUNY during the 2023-2024 academic year. To fund its launch, the city allocated $4.4 million to provide students with designated “navigators” to recruit and guide them through the enrollment process, financial and academic support, and to help returning students receive credits for prior learning.
Since the CUNY and SUNY Reconnect program will finance expenses like tuition, fees, and books for eligible students, it has only been made possible by the expanded FY26 Enacted Budget which has allocated $47 million ($28.2 million SUNY, $18.8 million CUNY) to fund the program.
“The Governor’s sustained support will help cultivate a crucial segment of untapped talent for New York’s workforce, enabling many more individuals to obtain an associate degree and move into prosperous, sustaining careers,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez in an August 26th CUNY press release.
The new FY26 Enacted Budget also delivers an additional $13 million in increased operating aid to community colleges for the first time since the pandemic. Totaling an allocation of $754 million for CUNY and SUNY colleges, which is a $60 million increase from the FY25 Budget.
“This ambitious program launched by Governor Hochul and supported by our State Legislature means more adult students will have access to an affordable world-class education at SUNY community colleges starting now. Congratulations to all of the students beginning – or continuing – their educational journey through the SUNY Reconnect program during the Fall 2025 semester,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. in CUNY’s August 26th press release.
The Knight News reached out to the Queens College administration to expand upon how the college is positioning itself to attract Reconnect students. In a statement given to The Knight News by Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Jennifer Jarvis, she stated:
“As you know, Queens College is a four-year school that enrolls transfer students with associates degrees from community colleges. The college applauds the state’s support for community college students who are pursuing higher education degrees in high demand fields. We are working closely with CUNY and SUNY community colleges to enable their students to continue their education here at Queens College. Financial aid incentives for adult students can help pave the way to academic and career success.
The college is working with the university on the implementation of the state budget consistent with current enrollments and the importance of maximizing the opportunities for student success.”
If you or someone you know is interested in going back to school or wants to transfer into a CUNY or SUNY school through this program, you can find more information and apply for SUNY Here and CUNY Here.
