CUNY Master Plan 2012-2016

THE CUNY MASTER PLAN 2012-2016
To ensure that students can access and complete a college education that will support their advancement,
CUNY will continue to take a lead in advocating for the availability of robust state and federal financial aid.
New York State has a rich program of financial aid through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and
students can also receive Pell Grants through the federal government. However, New York City is expensive,
and many demands compete for limited resources. CUNY will therefore continue to lobby the state
and federal governments and to present the case that the best investment the United States can make—
the investment most likely to help America advance economically and enable it to compete in world markets—is
an investment in higher education.
The legislation that has provided CUNY with stable funding for the next four years includes a provision
directing CUNY and SUNY to conduct studies of the TAP program and to develop recommendations
to further improve student financial aid in New York State. This dialogue has begun. Among the important
issues to address are the needs to increase the maximum TAP award up to the highest public sector
tuition in New York State, address a disparity with the TAP award calculation as it pertains to independent
students, and expand tuition assistance to part-time students.
CUNY is committed to ensuring that no student in need of financial assistance is denied access to the
University. To that end, funds have been budgeted to help students with severe financial needs to bridge
the gap between the maximum TAP award and tuition. In addition, a $5 million Student Financial Assistance
Program ($2 million for a student employment program, $2 million for textbooks to be held in the
library, and $1 million for an additional tuition waiver program) will provide further financial assistance.
Few public universities take money from their operating budgets and dedicate it to financial aid for students;
that CUNY does so reflects the values of its leadership.
The University is also concerned that students’ financial aid be protected from annual budget battles,
and that the state and federal governments be realistic regarding the years needed for students to graduate.
On the federal level, the Chancellor will continue to mobilize leadership as evidenced by the two
national summits cited earlier in this plan, and will continue to fight reductions to the Pell program. In
addition, he has endorsed efforts to provide financial assistance to undocumented students and to establish
pathways to citizenship, as well as financial aid, through the Dream Act and similar legislation.
In addition, CUNY’s Office of Admissions will build on its proactive efforts to assist students in understanding
the cost of college, the types of financial aid available, and the requirements and deadlines for aid
applications. Through its comprehensive website, extensive in-person and electronic outreach, and expert
counseling, the admissions office will continue to serve as a one-stop resource center for all students.
The challenge of maximizing financial aid is an example of the University’s focus, as is borne out in this
Master Plan, first, on students having rigorous, high-quality educational experiences, and second, on
doing whatever is necessary to keep students on track to have those experiences.
Responding to Basic Student Needs: The SingleStop Initiative
CUNY students’ financial needs are not limited to funds for tuition. Sixty percent of CUNY students
come from the lowest income brackets in America. Many face challenges with housing and food security,
60