Cuomo's free tuition bill will likely see tweaks

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s former state operations director and one of the architects of his Free College Tuition plan on Monday said the program would likely see ‘tweaks’ in any number of areas including the eligibility levels that would apply and maybe how it would impact the state’s large private college sector, which isn’t included at this point.

“We figured there would be tweaks,” Jim Malatras, who is now president of the Rockefeller Institute, said of Cuomo’s plan to offer free State University of New York or City University of New York tuition to students whose families have adjusted gross incomes of up to $125,000.

Among the details that may change during final budget negotiations: A possible cost differential for families in various regions of the state, as well as accommodations that might have to be made for SUNY/CUNY staff and classroom space if they get an increased number of applications and students who are lured in by the free tuition deal.

His remarks came during a symposium titled “The Hidden Cost of ‘Free’/ Higher Ed Tuition Policy and Affordability.”

Read more: http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/272991/cuomos-free-tuition-bill-will-likely-see-tweaks/