Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Regents Committee on Higher Education Members
Regent Ferrer, Co-Chair, Regent Rivera, Co-Chair, Vice Chancellor Chin, Regent Norwood, Regent Wills, Regent Catania, Regent Hale, Regent Pratts, Regent Krist, Regent Wiley

The Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on December 15, 2025. All members were present. Regent Roger Tilles, Regent Christine D. Cea, Regent Susan W. Mittler, Regent Shino Tanikawa, Regent Patrick A. Mannion, and Regent Felicia Thomas-Williams also attended the meeting.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

A proposed amendment to sections 145-2.1 and 145-2.9 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to Part-time Study for Undergraduate Students - Department staff presented a proposed regulatory amendment to align Commissioner Regulations with an amendment to New York State Education Law § 667-c, which lowered the minimum required credit load for the Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) from 6 to 3 credit hours.

The 2025-26 Enacted State Budget (Part D of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2025) consolidated three existing state financial aid programs for part-time students into a single Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), as well as expanded eligibility for Part-Time TAP. Specifically, the Budget amended New York State Education Law § 667-c, lowering the minimum required credit load for the Part-Time TAP from 6 to 3 credit hours. This change affects students enrolled in an approved undergraduate degree program who are taking less than 12 credits per semester.

This new minimum credit hour requirement for Part-Time TAP applies to part-time students who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at participating New York institutions, including SUNY, CUNY, and independent colleges. Other requirements are unchanged: Students must still meet other eligibility requirements, including New York State residency, being in good standing on any student loans, and meeting income guidelines. Therefore, the Department proposes to amend section 145-2.1 to reflect this change.

Additionally, the Budget repealed section 666 of the Education Law regarding the Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) Program. Therefore, the amendment removes references to this section in the Commissioner’s regulations in sections 145-2.3 and 145-2.9.1.

Deputy Commissioner William Murphy reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.

This concludes our report.