Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a plan this morning to provide free tuition at state colleges and universities for some state residents. The proposal – called the Excelsior Scholarship – would be aimed at people or families earning $125,000 or less annually, according to the governor’s office. Cuomo would like to phase it in over the next three years and plans to include it in this year’s budget proposal. The scholarship would cover tuition only at community colleges and state universities, room and board would be extra. SUNY officials have requested the opportunity to allow each of their 29 schools to raise tuition by $100, $200, or $300 in each of the next four years. The average for tuition, room, and board for New Yorkers at state colleges and universities is more than $20,500 per year. Cuomo has until Jan. 17 to release his full budget proposal.
