Proposal Increases College Saving Incentive

Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange) today announced co-sponosored legislation (S.7449A) will make higher education more affordable so students and their families do not have to deal with debt for years after graduation.

The legislation is targeted towards expanding education tax credits, providing low-cost student loans, increasing private lender transparency, and increasingsavings for families by allowing for pre-paid tuition. Its components include: the Stay in New York Tax Credit, Tuition Tax Credit, Student Loan Linked Deposit Program, Student Loan Linked Deposit Program and Pre-Paid Tuition Program.

“Rising tuition expenses have become a national phenomenon that is drowning the middle class year after year,” said Carlucci, who made his announcement at Rockland Community College.

Education Tax Credits 

Under the Stay in New York Tax Credit , this program is designed to incentivize students to stay in New York State who graduate from New York-based colleges and universities by offering those graduates a credit equal to their college expenses over a four-year period.  The credit would be capped at $3,000 per year.  The credit would be available for students who live and work in New York post-graduation, and completed community service while they are attending college. 

The Tuition Tax Credit would improve New York’s Tuition Tax Credit by amending it to:

• Double the amount of qualified college expenses that can be claimed from $10,000 to $20,000 over five years
• Double the maximum amount of the credit allowed from $400 to $800 over five years; and
• Index the qualified expenses and credit to the rate of inflation of the Higher Education Price Index.

Student Loan Linked Deposit Program

This new student loan program would provide low-cost student loans by authorizing the State Comptroller to place state deposits with participating lenders at a decreased interest rate, in order to offer students reduced rate student loans, at up to three points below market rates.

This program provides for $100 million dollars, with repaid loan amounts going back into available deposits and loans.  Loans would be available for students attending in-state colleges, for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board).  Loans would be capped at  $7,500 per academic year, and could not exceed a total amount of $30,000.

Student Loan Linked Deposit Program

Under this program, the Department of Financial Services would be required to collect data on student loans in order to compare loan rates and repayment plans. The superintendent would be required to use this data and create a list of private lenders who provide the best loan rates and repayment options on student loans, and place this list on a website.

The Pre-Paid Tuition Program

This bill would also establish a New York State Pre-Pay tuition savings program.  This would allow parents to prepay for college tuition at SUNY or CUNY beginning when their child reaches the age of five. Parents would be able to pre-pay one third of the annual total cost of their child’s college education over a period of twelve years. 

Support for the initiative came from college officials and students.

"We applaud these and any other effective measures ensuring access to higher education at RCC remains attainable for the families of our community," said Dr. Cliff L. Wood, President of Rockland Community College. 

RCC sophomore Jordan Zuber-Banks said, "Senator Carlucci understands the struggle that students are having with affording college tuition, and this plan will help so many of my peers that are looking for any type of relief in these difficult times."

In a 2011 article entitled Rising College Costs Price Out Middle Class by CNN Money, and using data compiled by the College Board and IRS data, tuition and fees at public universities had surged almost 130% over the last 20 years while middle class incomes have stagnated.  

According to the College Board, college costs at public four-year colleges rose an average of 4. percent per year, at private not-for-profit four-year institutions costs increased an average of 2.7 percent per year and at public two-year colleges tuition and fees rose an average of 1.8 percent. 

For full-time students enrolled in public two-year colleges, on average, grant aid and tax benefits covered tuition and fee charges in 2011-12, leaving an estimated $810 to help students pay for books, supplies and living expenses.  

As it relates to tuition and fees, the top 25 college and universities that are the most expensive are private institutions.  The most expensive university in 2012-2013 is Sarah Lawrence College. Tuition at the college located in Bronxville cost $61,236 per year.  New York University came in second at $56,787.

“These numbers clearly show an unsustainable path towards paying for college education, and now is the time to offer real solutions so that we can properly invest in our children’s future while doing it at an affordable price,” said Carlucci.