Lehman College could see direct admission students

Gov. Kathy Hohcul made it clear with her announced initiatives that she intends to make New York’s public higher education institutions more accessible. Among her declarations, she announced support for enhancing SNAP programs for students, making all students fill out their federal aid applications, and allowing direct admission for state high school students in the top 10 percent of their class.

“Every proposal announced today serves to improve our state and ensure our communities are not just surviving, but they are thriving. Our New York is our future, and the future is brighter than ever,” Hochul said as she .delivered her State of the State address in Albany on Jan. 9.

One of her proposed initiatives would give the top 10 percent of all New York graduating high school classes guaranteed admission into CUNY and SUNY schools. Hohchul says that substantial evidence suggests “high-achieving, low-income students apply to, and end up attending, less selective postsecondary institutions at higher rates than their higher-income peers.” Nationwide other states have begun to offer this matriculation process and have found it advances equity within their higher education.

The idea behind providing the top students with admission into at least one public school is to ensure students of all backgrounds and opportunities are provided the chance to pursue higher education.

Among the states nationwide experimenting with this idea are Wisconsin. Last year Universities of Wisconsin’s Board of Regents announced they would provide top high school students with direct admission beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Other states adopting similar policies include Minnesota and Georgia. This plan differs from guaranteed admissions, a system in plan in Texas and Tennessee, because students do not need to apply to the schools to ensure their seat. Their spot is theirs for the taking.

Mandatory federal aid application

Requiring all graduating seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, or the NYS Dream Act application is another proposed legislative initiative from Hochul. The intention is to increase the number of students attending college while making it more affordable for those who choose to go. Completing FAFSA has been linked to a 127 percent increase in pursuing immediate higher education.

Although FAFSA does not fully cover tuition payments, with the average loans ranging from $5,500 to $12,500, it can make a significant dent for a student.

Students are certainly encouraged to complete their FAFSA. However, requiring them to do so would be a change necessary to be made on a high school administrative level.

SNAP for students

Recent national studies have shown that anywhere from 29 to 39 percent of enrolled students at two or four-year colleges struggle with food insecurity.

According to No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit helping feed children nationally, data shows that student’s learning suffers when they regularly experience hunger. Food insecurity has been shown to affect concentration, memory, mood and motor skills.

Hochul’s proposal would expand on a program created by SUNY in partnership with Benefits Data Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to college and helping students succeed. Together the two created an online enrollment form that makes application for students simpler.

The program was created last summer and launched for fall 2023 classes. The partnership is also focused on creating a program that will help identify students who are eligible for other public assistance programs. They are currently testing the programs at community colleges spread throughout the state.

A similar program for SNAP is being run at CUNY colleges in the Bronx, including Lehman College. Comprehensive Access to Resources for Essential Services, or CARES, is a three-year project set to end in 2025 that aims at aiding every student eligible for SNAP to enroll. At the end of the program’s test run, Hohcul will decide how best to proceed to enable all CUNY and SUNY students access. 

CARES helps with more than just SNAP enrollment though — it is dedicated to helping students find services in health care, mental health, food, and housing. The program is designed to set students up for success as they navigate schooling, becoming adults, and the reality of entering their professional lives.

Studies over the past several years have shown a decrease in enrollment in colleges and universities nationwide. It’s the cause behind many institutions struggling financially.

The common theme throughout Gov. Hochul’s proposals is to make higher education more accessible to encourage higher attendance rights and help keep those already enrolled continuing on their path to higher education.

New Metro-North stations for the East Bronx

The Metro-North Penn Station Access Project will be focused on building four new stations in the East Bronx during this phase of the project. The project broke ground in December 2022 in Hunts Point, Morris Park, Co-op City, and Parkchester/Van Nest.

According to Hochul, these four added stations alone would bring “rail service within one mile of 500,000 residents.”

Although the project is expected to be completed in 2027 Hochul believed the project made significant progress over the course of the year.