Are you interested in learning the skills that open doors to critical jobs in New York State where employers are looking for help?
SUNY Reconnect is New York State’s new, free community college program that is designed to help you get the skills employers are looking for in growing industries in your region. Through the New York State Opportunity Promise Scholarship, SUNY Reconnect offers adults with no degree the opportunity to get a free 2-year degree in a high-demand field.
We know this opportunity may raise a lot of questions. We’re here to help demystify the Opportunity Promise Scholarship and address your most pressing questions.
What is the Opportunity Promise Scholarship?
The Opportunity Promise Scholarship, New York’s free community college initiative, aims to help the four million working-age adults in New York who do not have a college degree. It offers free community college to prepare New Yorkers for jobs in growing industries.
Who qualifies for free community college in NY?
To be eligible for this free community college scholarship at SUNY, there are a few criteria that you should meet:
- New York State resident or eligible for in-state tuition
- U.S. citizen and a legal New York State resident for at least 12 months
- Age 25 to 55
- Does not already hold a bachelors, graduate, associate, or professional degree
- You are still eligible for the Opportunity Promise Scholarship if you currently have a certificate or a microcredential.
- Enrolled in an approved associate degree program at a SUNY community college
Which campuses are participating in free community college?
SUNY Reconnect for free community college includes ALL of SUNY’s 30 community colleges.
What programs are offered by the Opportunity Promise Scholarship?
There are a range of programs offered that could fit your interests and help you reach your career goals. This includes programs in:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Green and renewable energy
- Nursing and health care professionals
- Pathways to teaching in shortage areas
- Technology fields
Is NY free college really free?
The word ‘free’, especially when talking about higher education, can raise important questions, like who pays for it or what is covered?
We know money doesn’t grow on trees. New York State’s free community college program is funded by an investment in the 2025-2026 New York State budget, meaning it’s supported in part by taxpayers like you, as a commitment to creating stronger communities, growing the state’s economy, and helping every New Yorker achieve the American dream.
What does SUNY Reconnect cover?
The Opportunity Promise Scholarship covers the full cost of attendance after all other financial aid is applied. This includes:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Books
- Supplies
What kind of support can you expect from the Opportunity Promise Scholarship?
The Opportunity Promise Scholarship is designed to be a flexible degree program for adults, offering a variety of services to ensure your success. Support and services may vary by campus, but typically include:
- Dedicated advising
- Flexible scheduling (including part-time options)
- Personal support for adult learners
- Career support services
- Online options
- Childcare services on or near select campuses
What careers can you get with a free degree?
The free community college initiative can help you pursue a range of high-demand careers that only require an associate degree. Some of the top careers that you can enter with a free degree include, but are not limited to:
- Advanced Manufacturing fields
- Mechatronics
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist or Technician
- Computer Aided Drafting Technician or Junior Drafter
- Artificial Intelligence fields
- Geographic Information Systems Technician
- Computer Support Specialist
- Cybersecurity Fields
- Digital Forensic Analyst
- Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Analyst
- Engineering Fields
- Quality Control Technician
- Structural Technician
- Green and Renewable Energy Fields
- Renewable Energy Associate
- Green Building Maintenance
- Nursing and Allied Health Fields
- Registered Nurse
- Radiologic Technologist
- Surgical Technician
- Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas
- Early Childhood Educator
- Special Education Teacher Assistant
- English Learner Teacher Aide
- Technology fields
- Systems Administrator
- Process Technician
Other FAQs About Free Community College in NYS
- Do I have to stay in NY after graduation?
- Unlike the Excelsior Scholarship, the Opportunity Promise Scholarship doesn’t require you to stay or work in NY after graduation.
- Do students have to pay back the scholarship money?
- No, the Opportunity Promise Scholarship creates accessibility to associate degrees at no cost to the students. If for any reason you are unable to complete the program, there is no financial penalty.
- What other financial aid is available?
- Other forms of aid and support that make community college affordable include the Excelsior Scholarship, TAP, Pell Grants and EOP. If you’re interested in exploring these options, reach out to your school’s advising department for more information and additional opportunities.
- Does NY free college help with job placement?
- NY free college helps students round out skill sets, advance their careers, and earn a degree in a growing industry. SUNY also offers career advisory services that can help you with job placement and career development.
- Does free tuition cover online degrees?
- The free community college initiative is designed to be flexible with online, part-time and evening options. If the community college near you does not have the program you want, SUNY Reconnect does allow you to enroll in an online degree at another SUNY community college for free.
New York State’s free community college program offers an exciting opportunity for working adults that are looking to advance their careers.
For more information about SUNY Reconnect to find programs eligible for NY’s Opportunity Scholarship, visit suny.edu/freeCC.
