New York Community Colleges Awarded Grants To Support Adult Learners

Today (February 24, 2025), $1.1 million in grants will be distributed to several New York State Community Colleges according to the Office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Governor's Office announced that the grant money for 22 New York community colleges will be used to implement wide-ranging action plans designed to help more adult learners access transformational educational opportunities that lead to upward mobility.

Just over one in four SUNY community college students are 25 or older. Close to two-thirds of students attend college part-time. It is estimated that 1.5 million working-age New York residents have completed some college but have not obtained a degree.

Read More: State Of Broome County 2025 Report

For millions of New Yorkers, community college can be the path to upward mobility and economic security, opening the door to a wide array of workforce opportunities. Working with SUNY, we are tackling the barriers that stand in the way of New Yorkers accessing these potentially transformational educational pathways. The Adult Learner Leadership Initiative builds on our commitment to empowering people in every corner of the state to participate in generational economic opportunities.” - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

The Governor's Office notes that New York State Community Colleges from the Southern Tier and Central New York region that will be receiving a portion of the grant include:

• SUNY Broome Community College ($50,000): Expanded use of co-requisite models to address gaps in academic preparation; creating a sense of belonging for adult learners; use of online and blended learning.

• Corning Community College ($41,928): Marketing and recruitment targeted to specific adult learner populations; expanded use of credit for prior learning; expanded use of co-requisite models to address gaps in academic preparation; availability of academic offerings and non-academic support in-person on weekends/evenings; alignment of campus policies with adult learner needs.

• Tompkins Cortland Community College ($50,000): Marketing and recruitment targeted to specific adult learner populations; expanded use of credit for prior learning; creating a sense of belonging for adult learners.

SUNY's community colleges are engines of upward mobility, and Governor Hochul’s proposal for a free community college degree in high-demand fields will help connect more working-age New Yorkers to economic opportunity. Our campuses are ready to step up to help more adult learners earn a community college associate degree and advance in their careers. - SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr.

For more information on the New York State Higher Education Program, visit Governor Hochul's website.

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