SUNY Reconnect for Adult Learners

There are more than four million working-age adults in New York State who do not have a college degree or credential. As New York leads the way with emerging industries such as healthcare, the semiconductor industry and advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, IT and AI, and green jobs, New York State and SUNY are committed to ensuring New Yorkers have the degrees to fill these well-paying, high-demand careers.

Recognizing that higher education can be the pathway to economic opportunity and upward mobility, SUNY Reconnect makes an associate degree in a high-demand field free for adults between the ages of 25 and 55 with no college degree.

Am I eligible?

Below are SUNY's statewide eligibility requirements. You must:

• be a New York State resident or qualifies for in-state tuition.
• be aged 25–55 as of the first day of classes.
• Have no prior college degree (associate or bachelor's).
• be enrolled in an approved associate degree program at a SUNY community college (approved SUNY Orange degrees listed in the box below)

Additionally, you:

• may have some prior college credits, certificate(s), or micro-credentials.
• can study full-time or part-time, but must take at least 6 credits per semester and finish within 10 semesters [Leaves: Up to one-year leave allowed (with possible medical, military exceptions)]
• must maintain good academic standing per SUNY Orange standards.
• are eligible even if: previously attended, currently enrolled, re-admitted, non-traditional, Dream Act recipient, veteran (supports TAP, Pell, GI Bill, Excelsior etc.)

Having an outstanding balance does not prohibit you from enrolling in one of the approved programs.

Read the SUNY FAQ for more information on eligibility.

What does "free" mean?

SUNY Reconnect covers tuition, fees, books, and supplies after other aid is applied, and is NOT retroactive to past terms.