SUNY Announces Nearly $3.8 Million in New Funding Hudson Valley Area Campuses

May 13, 2025

Increase in Annual Funding Statewide of $114 Million from FY2025-2026 Enacted Budget Thanks to Governor Hochul and the Legislature

Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees today announced the allocation of $114 million in increased operating aid across State-operated SUNY campuses from the FY 2025-2026 Enacted New York State budget. The funding marks a continued historic investment and commitment to public higher education under Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership with strong support from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and the entire State Legislature. Every State-operated campus has received at least a 30% increase in operating aid over the last three years.

"This year's budget continues a historic investment in New York's public higher education system – one that will bring essential support to our students and faculty," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY is on the move, and all of New York will benefit. These resources ensure SUNY's continued affordability and invest in our academic and research excellence. There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and this funding strengthens our ability to promote student success and advance upward mobility."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "This budget represents a bold affirmation of SUNY's pivotal role in New York's future. With this investment, Governor Hochul and the State Legislature are reinforcing their commitment to academic excellence and expanding the promise of opportunity for every New Yorker. These new resources will fuel innovation, support cutting-edge research, and ensure SUNY remains a powerful engine of economic opportunity."

In the Hudson Valley area, SUNY has allocated:

  • $2.161 million to SUNY New Paltz
  • $1.597 million to Purchase College

The Board resolution includes:

  • $100 million to offset the costs of the State-approved collective bargaining agreement with SUNY's extraordinary faculty and staff and ensure appropriate resources for every State-operated campus
  • $10 million to support student and faculty research at our most research-intensive campuses
  • $3 million to continue to mitigate fees for graduate student workers

The funding marks a continued investment and commitment under Governor Hochul's leadership to advance the State of New York and its educational institutions. The FY 2025-26 Enacted State Budget brings total additional recurring investment in State-operated campuses over the last three years to $391 million, including:

  • $322.5 million in general operating support to invest in student success and recruit and retain faculty and staff
  • $24.0 million to support cutting-edge research
  • $14.5 million to expand internship opportunities for undergraduate students
  • $10 million to provide student mental health services
  • $10 million to expand services for students with disabilities
  • $9 million to mitigate fees for graduate student workers
  • $1 million to address food insecurity

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "The Senate Majority, together with our partners in state government, sent a clear message with this budget that New York stands up for higher education and investing in our future. With this historic support for SUNY, we are helping ensure that colleges and universities throughout New York State are able to serve as beacons of learning and hope. The Senate Majority will continue to work with SUNY to ensure every New Yorker has access to a World Class education that prepares them for a great and prosperous future."

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, said, "The Assembly Majority's continued investment into New York's public education centers signifies a commitment to nurturing our state's next generation. SUNY institutions not only provide education to thousands of students annually, but also prioritizes much needed research that drive innovation and addresses societal issues that improve quality of life for all. Public higher education extends beyond individual opportunity; it contributes to economic growth and fosters familial stability."

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes said, "This commitment of $114 million in increased operating aid is a commitment towards SUNY students and faculty. It is a commitment to the idea of higher education in New York State, and it is a commitment to our future."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "Every New Yorker, regardless of where they grow up or how wealthy their family is, deserves access to a high-quality and affordable education that prepares them for the future. That is my commitment. This State Budget makes a significant down payment on this commitment. I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and my colleagues who supported this investment in public higher education."

State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "As someone who has long championed access and equity in higher education, I'm proud to see continued investment in our SUNY system. This funding isn't just about dollars — it's about real opportunities for our students to stay on track, graduate on time, and pursue their dreams. Restoring and investing in programs like EOP, as well as making the ASAP and ACE programs permanent is a game-changer, especially for students who need that extra support. I thank Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Legislature for recognizing that when we invest in SUNY, we invest in the future of New York."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "SUNY changes lives—it's a lifeline that opens doors to higher education and good careers that support families and strengthen communities. As the State Senator representing SUNY New Paltz, Columbia-Greene Community College, and Dutchess Community College, I'm proud to have helped champion historic investments in this year's budget that will support students and faculty, advance research, and keep SUNY a leading driver of opportunity in the Hudson Valley and across New York."

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am pleased to see that the New York State Legislature has successfully secured critical funding for SUNY campuses throughout the state, particularly in the Hudson Valley, in the FY 2025-2026 New York State Budget. With the allocation of $114 million, SUNY will be able to continue its outstanding programs that encourage, support, and motivate New Yorkers as they pursue higher education, while making the critical investments to enhance and protect the environment. I am proud to be an advocate for these projects and programs that will continue New York's leadership in higher education. I would like to thank SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their dedication to New York's higher education students, and Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and my legislative colleagues for ensuring this funding was included in the final adopted state budget."

State Senator Peter Oberacker, a proud SUNY Delhi graduate, applauded the additional $114 million in this year's state budget for the SUNY system, calling it a strong investment in New York's future. "Our SUNY campuses are more than just classrooms—they're the heart of our communities, innovation hubs, and centers of opportunity," he said. "The funding includes $4.5 million to bolster student success initiatives and $4 million to expand research opportunities for both students and faculty." Oberacker emphasized that supporting SUNY means empowering the next generation of leaders across the state.

State Senator Rob Rolison said, "Investing in SUNY is investing in New York's future. This year's budget increase will expand access to higher education across the state and here in the Hudson Valley—supporting our community colleges, four-year institutions, and the students they serve. These funds will help provide the programs, resources, and opportunities students need to succeed. I'm proud to stand with our students, faculty, and campuses as we work to strengthen our communities through education."

State Assemblymember Steve Otis, Chair of the Assembly Science and Technology Committee said, "The adopted state budget includes strong support for SUNY campuses in our region, Westchester Community College, and enhancements to New York's Higher Education Opportunity programs that make college affordable. The budget also includes increased funding for the Empire AI Consortium, the public private partnership led by SUNY, which uses AI for the public good. These were priorities for the Assembly, the Senate, and Governor Hochul to build on the success of Chancellor John King and the SUNY Board of Trustees to grow programs and enrollment throughout the system."

State Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "The record investments we made in this year's State Budget for our SUNY schools, including funding to attract workforce tract students to our Community Colleges here in the Hudson Valley, is a testament to New York's commitment to higher education and creating opportunities for all students. I am proud to have secured more money for Dutchess Community College's CARES program which supports housing and food insecure students. I thank my legislative colleagues and Governor Hochul for prioritizing higher education funding."

State Assemblymember Chris Burdick said, "New York's higher education system is among the finest public higher education systems in the country, providing students in New York and beyond the opportunity to receive a quality, affordable education. SUNY students are the leaders and innovators of the future, and I could not be more pleased that the Governor and Legislature came together to ensure that SUNY receives the funding it needs to continue to advance and thrive."

State Assemblymember Christopher Eachus said, "When real investments are made in our educational institutions it is not just students that succeed, the entire state succeeds. This budget ensures more students have the opportunity to attend one of the finest state-run educational systems in the nation, regardless of socio-economic background. This budget ensures that we have a higher educated and more engaged workforce prepared to face the jobs of tomorrow. But most of all, this budget shows that NY is truly committed to uplifting the pursuit of knowledge in a time where others look to strip it away. I am thankful for my colleagues in the Legislature and the Governor for fighting to put education first."

State Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay said, "We are fortunate to have such an expansive public college system, and even more fortunate that our state's leaders have taken such a strong stance in supporting it. I'd like to thank Chancellor King for this allocation to our Hudson Valley campuses, and extend my gratitude to Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and the rest of my legislative colleagues for making this possible. I would also like to thank Dr. Christine Young of SUNY Orange and Dr. David Potash of SUNY Sullivan for their outstanding advocacy in support of their campuses."

State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha said, "Our state universities are an example of a public good that invests in New Yorkers and the future we can build together, generation after generation. I look forward to continue fighting to make sure SUNY and CUNY the leading examples of quality higher education that is accessible to all."

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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