In the recently passed FY26 New York State budget, Governor Kathy Hochul signed new legislation to make major investments and enact initiatives to increase access to higher education. This legislation creates the opportunity for free community college in certain needed fields and takes key steps to expand access to financial aid and invest in State University of New York and City University of New York campuses.
Suffolk Community College (SCC) rolled out its Reconnect program this week. Reconnect provides for a free associate program in designated high-demand fields of study. SCC currently has 2,287 students ages 25-55. Of those students, they identified 596 who would currently meet the requirements of the SUNY Reconnect program.
Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, told South Shore Press, "A highly skilled professional workforce is essential to the future of Suffolk County. Offering free community college to adults is a huge opportunity for the college to train new employees for in-demand fields and to bring critically needed new talent to the workforce pipelines. I applaud the Governor and the SUNY leadership for investing in expansion of these programs, as well as those adult students ready to pursue this unprecedented opportunity.”
The final allocation to SUNY’s community colleges will be based on the actual enrollment in the Reconnect program, which begins this fall.
“The New York State budget also provides $4 million in operating aid to our community colleges to support students in the free community college program. The proposed allocation to Suffolk Community College is $180,000,” said a SUNY spokesperson.
The FY 2026 Budget provides $47 million ($28.2 million SUNY, $18.8 million CUNY) to cover the remaining cost of tuition, fees, and books for community college students ages 25-55 pursuing select associate degrees in high-demand occupations, including nursing, pathways into teaching, technology and engineering.
“When my dad got his college degree, our family’s life was changed forever – I want every New York student to have that opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “I am proud to announce that with the passage of this budget, New Yorkers now have the chance to pursue a free associate degree at SUNY and CUNY community colleges to help fill the in-demand jobs of tomorrow.”
The State University of New York, in alignment with the identified high demand fields, has designated a number of our existing programs that qualify and are available on our website.