Free college expansion would admit prior graduates

The initiative covers tuition, fees, books and supplies in high-demand fields.

At LaGuardia Community College on October 27, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 with degrees in other fields could qualify for free associate-degree programs starting in January 2027.

The broadened eligibility applies to SUNY and CUNY campuses. Until now, applicants generally needed to lack a college credential; nursing students were an exception.