SUNY Announces More Than $20 Million in New Funding to Campuses in Western New York

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 Western New York, SUNY has allocated:

$16.825 million to University at Buffalo
$2.649 million to Buffalo State University
$1.263 million to SUNY Fredonia

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 April N.M. Baskin said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul and state legislative leadership, this historic SUNY investment benefits thousands of students as well as positively impacting the many staff members who work in higher education. As a proud alumna of SUNY Empire, I know firsthand the scope of the available programs and the quality work consistently done in research and academics throughout this state-wide system. Additionally, it is important to note that SUNY serves as an economic driver in rural and urban communities where these valued institutions are located."

State Senator Sean Ryan said, "Our public universities are some of the greatest public resources available to the people of New York. They provide students with a first-rate education, develop our state's workforce, and drive the upstate economy. The millions of dollars we put into the SUNY system are an important investment in both the future of New York's students and the health of our state's economy."

State Assemblymember Karen McMahon said, "This budget sends a strong message that New York State will prioritize public education and support the thousands of students and faculty who make SUNY a destination for higher education. Now more than ever, it's important for us to emphasize the value of higher education and support the institutions across the state that are conducting important, even life-saving research, and preparing the next generation of professionals in all areas of industry, arts, and culture. I was proud to help pass this budget that will help reinforce SUNY's reputation as the premier public higher education system in the nation."

State Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, "The SUNY system is one of New York's greatest engines of opportunity, and this year's budget ensures that it remains strong and accessible. The $114 million in increased operating aid will have a direct and lasting impact on campuses across the state, including for SUNY schools here in Westen New York, supporting our faculty, empowering our students, and advancing the research and programs that drive progress. I'm proud to support this continued investment in our public higher education system and in the future of our communities."

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, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire 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 $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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SUNY Announces More Than $20 Million in New Funding to Campuses in Western New York

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