State of the State 2026 outlines student aid, foster support and veteran clinics.

Governor Kathy Hochul proposes continuing a tuition freeze for resident undergraduates at SUNY and CUNY and expanding student supports including Reconnect program additions, Veterans Services Clinics, and new help for former foster youth.

Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State package seeks to extend a tuition freeze for resident undergraduates at state-operated SUNY campuses and CUNY senior colleges while adding several student-focused measures. The agenda aims to ease education costs and broaden campus safety nets. Proposals include changes to loan transparency, expanded access to free community college pathways, and more services for veterans and former foster youth. The plan also calls for standardized emergency aid policies and adjustments to administrative deadlines that affect student expenses. Key proposals: - Continue the tuition freeze for resident undergraduate students at state-operated SUNY campuses and CUNY senior colleges. - Expand the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program to cover more high-demand degrees such as nursing, logistics, air traffic control and emergency management. - Require private student lenders to provide clearer notices about the risks of refinancing federal loans and potential loss of federal protections. - Create a standard cosigner release after a described "reasonable number" of on-time payments and overhaul Certificate of Residency deadlines to avoid penalizing community college students. - Double the Empire State Service Corps and introduce Veterans Services Clinics to help about 10,000 military-connected students access GI Bill benefits and tuition assistance. - Launch New York Career Connect, expand the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program, create Reconnect for Foster Scholars, standardize emergency aid funds, and allow SUNY to waive tuition for students forced to withdraw mid-semester due to an emergency. Summary: The proposals are intended to broaden financial and administrative supports for students, veterans and former foster youth across SUNY and CUNY campuses. Undetermined at this time.