SUNY Reconnect

SUNY Reconnect is SUNY’s free community college program for New York adults. Through the New York State Opportunity Promise scholarship, SUNY Reconnect provides free associate degrees in high-demand fields for New Yorkers 25 to 55 with no college degree. The program aims to help connect New Yorkers with good-paying jobs while boosting economic growth in key industries across New York State.

The program covers the costs of tuition, fees, books, and supplies after other forms of tuition assistance, such as NYS TAP, are applied.

The program will cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies required for your specific degree program.

To receive scholarship funds, students must apply for TAP, and if applicable, the NYS Dream Act. After all awards are compiled, the program will cover any remaining balance to attend. Students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA form to maximize available aid.

The program will cover any remaining balance after all other financial aid including federal loans, TAP, Pell, and Excelsior Scholarship (if applicable). Prospective students are not required to apply for private loans to apply for this program.

If a student in an approved degree program is required to take a remedial, pre-requisite, and/or co-requisite course as part of their program of study, those courses will be covered. Courses that need to be taken prior to entering the degree program do not qualify.

Funding will be available starting in the Fall 2025 semester and will not be retroactive to past semesters.

Funding does not cover room and board/housing (where applicable); transportation; meal plans; other non-academic expenses.

Students with a past balance or have stopped out and have a financial hold are eligible to enroll. Past balances will not be forgiven under State Finance Law so students will need to work with their campus to address the outstanding balance.

Yes. Anyone who receives in-state tuition is eligible.

No. Students who do not complete will not be required to pay back scholarship funds through this program.

Yes, students who meet all eligibility requirements and are already in another program can receive funding. Funding through NYS Opportunity Promise scholarship will be applied after all other financial aid.

Campuses will place funds for books and supplies on a student’s account for use. See specific campus requirements for details on purchasing books and supplies.

Eligible programs include associate degree programs in high-demand areas of advanced manufacturing; nursing and allied health; engineering; technology, cybersecurity, and AI; green jobs; and teaching pathways in shortage areas

Yes, please see our list of eligible programs.

Please check with admissions for program specific enrollment requirements.

Contact your campus admissions office to see if waitlists are available or if there are related programs available for you to enroll immediately.

Class availability varies campus by campus. Evening and online programs are available. Please reach out to your campus to inquire.

Summer and winter term courses may be eligible. Check with your campus to see what courses in your program can be included.

The NYS Opportunity Promise scholarship will pay for an approved associate degree and will not cover additional coursework towards additional degree programs.

Credit for military education or training will vary by campus.  If you have military training, certifications, or licenses, reach out to your campus to see what credits might be available for your desired major.

The majors approved for the scholarship are in high-demand fields across New York State that only require an associate degree. Go to our [search programs] section to see what jobs you might be qualified for based on your degree and the median starting salary for related positions.

Many colleges include median starting salaries on their degree program webpages or go to our [search programs] section to see more information on available programs, job opportunities, and median starting salaries.

Every campus has a career services office. Campuses work closely with local/regional employers, industry partners, and workforce development organizations and can help connect students with resources and assistance in finding job opportunities.

All SUNY community colleges will provide academic advising for students in the program. Once enrolled, you can meet with an advisor to discuss options and degree planning.

Please contact your local community college to learn more about childcare services and options.

Please contact your local community college to learn more about transportation assistance and options.

Eligible student requirements include:

• Resident of New York State or eligible for in-state tuition
• Between the ages of 25-55 as of the first day of the semester
• Does not currently have a degree
• Can have college credits, certificate, or microcredential(s)
• Enrolled in approved associate degree program at a SUNY community college

If you are already an enrolled student in an approved degree program you are eligible to participate.

SUNY has a new policy to promote credit for prior learning. Campuses will review student transcripts to determine which credits transfer.

Yes. Students who have not earned a degree are eligible.

Yes, students may attend full-time or part-time. Students must take a minimum of 6 credits per semester and complete their degree within 10 semesters.

Students may take leave for one academic year without receiving credits before being removed from the scholarship program.

Only approved majors qualify for the scholarship. Campus advisors can work with you to help you decide if one of the approved majors is right for you.

To be eligible for the program you must be 25-55 years old as of the first day of classes for the semester. If you are 24 on the first day of classes, you will not be eligible for the program for that semester.

If you turn 56 while completing your program you will remain eligible for the duration of the degree program given you complete the program within the allotted timeframe.

Yes, students will need to maintain good academic standing in accordance with the college’s academic standards and any specific program requirements.

If you are enrolled in an approved associate degree program as part of a dual enrollment program you are eligible for funding for the associate degree program.

There are no in-state work or residency requirements following degree completion.

Yes, any New York State resident is eligible to apply to SUNY community colleges for the program.

As long as your desired campus is still accepting applications for an approved program. An enrollment advisor can help you get registered and enrolled in an available program.