“Gov. Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2027 executive budget stands to strengthen CUNY’s ability to provide an affordable, high-quality education to all New Yorkers and serve as a driver of upward mobility. 

“Our ability to keep tuition low — below $7,000 a year for our senior colleges and $5,000 for community colleges — depends on sustained investment by the state. The budget upholds this promise with new operating aid for senior colleges, support that will expand access to underserved communities, improve career outcomes, and maintain the community college funding floor at 100% of prior-year funding. 

“We are grateful for the Governor’s expanded $60 million investment in the Reconnect program, which provides free community college for adult learners in high-demand fields. Since its launch last year, Reconnect has enabled nearly 6,000 New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 to enroll at CUNY. Continued state support will allow us to reach more students, including former foster youth, and open pathways to high‑demand careers. 

“We also appreciate the Governor’s $6.8 million investment in CUNY Beyond, our signature career‑connected learning initiative that integrates workforce readiness throughout the student experience. This funding will help CUNY triple participation in paid internships, increase employer recruitment by 20%, and generate an estimated $3 billion in future wage growth — yielding a $700 million return on public investment. 

“The budget also supports our students with $400,000 to establish a University emergency fund to help them manage unexpected costs that could otherwise disrupt their education.  

“The nearly $400 million allocated for capital funding will enable us to maintain our facilities in a state of good repair, improve our physical and digital infrastructure, and continue reducing our carbon footprint. 

“The 2027 executive budget reflects Governor Hochul’s deep commitment to public higher education. We are grateful for her ongoing support and look forward to working with her and legislative leaders to build a more equitable, affordable New York that fully harnesses the talent and resilience of its people.” 

By Félix V. Matos Rodríguez