NYPIRG's Higher Education Project




			NEWS RELEASE For release January 18, 2005 NYPIRG CRITICISES GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET SAYS TUITION HIKE PLUS TAP CUTS WILL SQUEEZE NEEDIEST STUDENTS CALLS ON LEGISLATURE TO REJECT GOVERNOR'S HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) today criticized the Governor's budget plan on higher education. "The Governor's budget proposal would put a massive squeeze on college students, particularly ones from low- and middle-income families," said Miriam Kramer, NYPIRG higher education coordinator. "A combination of tuition hikes and financial aid cuts will price students out of an affordable higher education. These proposals are simply fiscal gimmicks that borrow from students to balance the state budget." "The Governor's budget makes no sense," said Jose Vila a senior at Queens College. "Students currently struggle to pay tuition as it is and certainly need financial aid to assist them." "This is an uglier regurgitation of the Governor's previous plans," said Joel Kelsey, NYPIRG's Chairperson. "The Senate and the Assembly must work together to reject the Governor's higher education proposal and make college affordable for New Yorkers." In his 2005-06 Executive Budget, Governor Pataki recommends the following: A $500 tuition hike at SUNY and a $250 hike at CUNY for academic year 2005-06. Restructuring of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), reducing awards by 50%. An automatic annual tuition increase tied to HEPI beginning in 2006-07 for SUNY and CUNY. Maintain current levels of funding for the state's community colleges. Eliminates financial aid funding for opportunity programs like EOP and SEEK Attachments: Facts on TAP; Tuition Indexing Fact Sheet -30- top of page \| media index \| higher education home page \| nypirg home
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