In New York State, higher education is a major industry. The State’s 269 degree-granting colleges and universities employed 266,110 people and paid out $13.2 billion in wages in 2009.
The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is among the nation’s largest state‐ sponsored, need‐based grant programs for student aid.
On July 1, 2012, the interest rate on subsidized Direct Federal Loans for college students (also known as Stafford Loans) is set to revert to 6.8 percent for new loans, unless the U.S. Congress acts to prevent the increase.
Countless New Yorkers have found higher education the path to a more satisfying and financially secure life. Each year, college graduates, young and not-so-young, embark upon new opportunities that may have been unattainable without the benefits of college and university studies.
School districts are facing a set of unique fiscal challenges that have left many tightening their belts even as the economic recovery has begun to improve New York State finances.
Educators tell us that healthier students are better learners. Fresh produce can be an especially important part of a well-balanced diet, and research indicates that children eat more fruits and vegetables when those items are regularly offered.
In 2017, OSC completed 23 audits of expenses submitted to SED by preschool special education providers. These audits have cumulatively identified over $12.5 million in recommended disallowances, or about 3 percent of the total claimed expenses of $454 million for the audit period.
In 2018, OSC completed 18 audits of expenses submitted to SED by special education providers and one school-age special education provider. These audits have cumulatively identified almost $14.8 million in recommended disallowances, or almost 4 percent of the total claimed expenses of $372 million for the audit period.
More than a decade ago, New York became the fourth state in the nation to extend in-state college tuition rates to undocumented immigrant students. Today, approximately 8,300 such students attend public institutions of higher education throughout New York.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school district operations has been substantial, driving unprecedented changes to many core functions and processes, including the annual school budget vote. For district-level information: http://wwe1.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/research-budget-votes/budget-votes.cfm
