Community colleges across New York State have started their fall 2025 classes, with Governor Kathy Hochul welcoming adult students enrolled through the CUNY and SUNY Reconnect initiative. This program offers free tuition, fees, books, and supplies to adults aged 25-55 who do not already hold a college degree and are pursuing an associate degree in fields identified as high demand.
Governor Hochul said, “The cost of going to college should never stand in the way of any New Yorker achieving their personal and professional dreams. SUNY and CUNY Reconnect represent another important step forward in ensuring that quality education remains affordable and accessible for any student who is looking to fill key roles in fast-growing, good-paying fields throughout New York State.”
The initiative was launched after the passage of the FY26 Enacted Budget. It enables eligible adult learners to study at any CUNY or SUNY community college without cost for certain programs. Since its launch, more than 16,500 adult learners have applied statewide.
CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. said, “Governor Hochul’s free community college initiative greatly expands access to CUNY’s programs for non-traditional students by attracting working adults interested in careers in health care, education, and tech. The Reconnect program successfully leverages CUNY’s seven community colleges to support workforce needs in high-demand sectors of New York. We are grateful to the Governor for this transforming investment in New Yorkers’ career development.”
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez stated, “CUNY is grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for expanding access to the opportunities of a CUNY education through the Reconnect free community college program. The Governor’s sustained support will help cultivate a crucial segment of untapped talent for New York’s workforce, enabling many more individuals to obtain an associate degree and move into prosperous, sustaining careers.”
Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman said, “As Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I am incredibly proud to see New York continue to lead the way in expanding access to life-changing educational opportunities. The SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs are truly breaking down barriers for adult learners aged 25-55, making college accessible and affordable for New Yorkers who are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. By investing in our people and preparing them for careers in high-demand fields, we are not only transforming individual lives and providing pathways to the middle class, but also strengthening the economic future of our communities and our state. My thanks to Governor Hochul and Speaker Heastie for their foresight and commitment to this great endeavor. This initiative gives ‘back to school’ a whole new meaning for adults across New York.”
The degrees supported by CUNY and SUNY Reconnect include advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, technology, nursing and allied health fields, green energy sectors as well as teaching roles where there are shortages.
In addition to this initiative, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes increased operating aid for community colleges—an increase of $13 million from previous funding levels—and maintains a funding floor that protects these institutions from losing up to $124 million in direct state tax support during enrollment declines due to factors such as the pandemic.
The budget provides $754 million overall for community college programs statewide—a $60 million rise from FY25—to ensure these institutions have sufficient faculty resources and updated technology needed for current educational demands.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said: “Community colleges are engines of student success and economic prosperity, and the SUNY Reconnect program will help more New Yorkers access these essential institutions of upward mobility. This ambitious program launched by Governor Hochul and supported by our State Legislature means more adult students will have access to an affordable world-class education at SUNY community colleges starting now. Congratulations to all of the students beginning – or continuing – their educational journey through the SUNY Reconnect program during the Fall 2025 semester.”
SUNY Board of Trustees commented: “With the support of Governor Hochul and the State Legislature more adult New Yorkers can access a high-quality education at SUNY community colleges across the state that will help them secure jobs in high-demand fields. SUNY community colleges, and the entire SUNY system, continue to be ready to welcome an influx of adult learners this year, and congratulate students who are beginning their degree programs this semester. We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for investing in New York’s future by supporting SUNY Reconnect.”
The City University of New York (CUNY) is recognized as one of nation’s largest urban public universities with seven community colleges among its campuses throughout New York City’s five boroughs serving about 240,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year.
