SUNY Chancellor King and Board of Trustees Announce $2.75 Million State Budget Investment in SUNY’s Affordable Excellence in the Central New York Region
June 3, 2026
New Funding Maintains Resident Tuition and Broad-Based Fees Freeze for State-Operated Campuses as SUNY Expands Initiatives to Support Students on a Path to a College Degree
FY 2027 Enacted Budget for SUNY Brings Four-Year Total Increase to Nearly Half a Billion Dollars Thanks to Governor Hochul and State Legislature
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees today announced the distribution of $54 million in new Direct State Tax Support in the FY 2027 Enacted New York State Budget to State-operated campuses—with $2.75 million allocated to SUNY campuses in the Central New York Region—as they affirm the affordability of an excellent education at SUNY. The funding maintains the statewide resident undergraduate tuition freeze even as SUNY expands initiatives to support students on their path to a college degree and strengthens the role SUNY campuses play in driving research, innovation, and economic growth statewide.
The budget was enacted under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul with support from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and the entire State Legislature. Thanks to the Governor and legislative leadership, in addition to other investments in campus operations and facilities, total Direct State Tax Support has risen by $445 million over the last four years, a time marked by gains in enrollment, rigorous academic experiences, and SUNY research excellence.
“SUNY campuses are engines of opportunity for students and communities across New York, and this year’s state budget strengthens our ability to deliver on SUNY’s mission of affordable excellence,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, public higher education remains central to a strong and affordable New York. This state investment will help campuses support student success, increase access to high-quality academic programs, grow research and workforce partnerships, and ensure students graduate prepared to thrive in New York’s economy and contribute to civic life.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “This state 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 are expanding the promise of opportunity for every New Yorker while prioritizing affordability. These new resources will fuel innovation, support cutting-edge research, and ensure SUNY remains a powerful engine of workforce development and economic mobility.”
Under today’s Board of Trustees resolution, SUNY will allocate the $54 million to its 29 State-operated campuses, which will be used primarily to replace revenue that would have been generated from a tuition increase. As part of this investment, every University Center will commit to investing in research growth and all other State-operated campuses will invest in additional student services and supports to help all students thrive academically and prepare for rewarding careers.
The SUNY Board of Trustees also affirmed that it will freeze broad-based resident undergraduate fees for the 2026-27 academic year. In addition, with the Governor’s and State Legislature’s support, SUNY will complete the multi-year process of eliminating fees for graduate student workers.
In the Central New York Region, SUNY has allocated:
- $1.1 million allocated to SUNY Cortland; $8.35 million allocated since FY 2023
- $300,000 allocated to SUNY ESF; $6.39 million allocated since FY 2023
- $300,000 allocated to SUNY Morrisville; $4.18 million allocated since FY 2023
- $1 million allocated to SUNY Oswego; $8.70 million allocated since FY 2023
- $50,000 allocated to SUNY Upstate Medical University; $26.59 million allocated since FY 2023
For SUNY ESF, the Enacted State Budget also included $5 million in capital funding for the Center for Sustainable Forest Management Mass Timber Innovation.
The budget builds on three years of investment across the SUNY system, which made it possible for SUNY to allocate recurring funding to State-operated campuses to freeze resident undergraduate tuition and advance:
- General operating support to invest in student success and recruit and retain faculty and staff
- Cutting-edge research
- Paid internship opportunities for undergraduate students
- Student mental health services
- Services for students with disabilities
- Resources to address food insecurity
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, said, “Investments in our SUNY system are an investment into the futures of our young people. As prices rise on everything from gas and groceries to higher education, the Assembly Majority is committed to keeping our great SUNY schools within reach for New Yorks’ students and families. Maintaining the tuition freeze is vital to that mission. The enacted SFY 2026-27 budget ensures that both schools and students have the resources they need to succeed and thrive.”
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, “When I became Chair of the Higher Education Committee in 2019, I vowed to reverse the trend of a $200 increase in tuition every year. Since then, there's hasn't been tuition increases for New York students. The Legislature put $54 million into this year's budget to replace the revenue a tuition hike would have generated. In an affordability crisis, holding the line on tuition is one of the most powerful tools we have. I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, Chancellor King, and Governor Hochul, for helping to make this a reality.”
State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "A premier public university system must be defined not only by the caliber of its academics but by the accessibility of its institutions. By securing this critical investment to freeze resident tuition and broad-based fees - and by fulfilling our promise to eliminate fees for our dedicated graduate student workers - the Legislature is unequivocally prioritizing the future of New York’s students. We are dismantling financial barriers and ensuring that SUNY remains a powerful engine of upward mobility, allowing our scholars to focus on academic excellence and innovation rather than the anxiety of rising costs.”
State Senator Lea Webb said, “As a member of the Senate’s higher education committee and a proud SUNY alum myself, I will always prioritize funding for our SUNY colleges and universities. I am appreciative that this year’s budget included $2.75 million for SUNY Schools in the Central New York region. Education is integral in ensuring access to a better life, and New York’s public higher education institutions deliver that promise to its students. Funding our SUNY system is imperative. Students from around the globe come to get their education at one of our SUNY campuses, and we must invest in these schools to ensure we continue to draw excited students worldwide. Here in Central NY, I know firsthand how closely these schools work with the surrounding community and it’s important that we continue supporting our education institutions.”
State Assemblymember Joseph Angelino said, “I am happy to see tax dollars brought back into the community to serve higher education. I know the money sent to SUNY Morrisville will be put to great purpose, and I can’t wait to visit and see how they use this money.”
State Assemblymember Will Barclay said, “I am supportive of this additional operating aid for SUNY. Supporting our schools means supporting our students, our future workforce and the long-term strength of our state. Access to strong educational opportunities helps prepare students to contribute through research, innovation and service in ways that benefit us all. This investment helps ensure SUNY can continue providing those opportunities while remaining accessible and affordable—this is a win for everyone.”
State Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter said “SUNY campuses play a vital role in preparing the next generation of workers, healthcare professionals, and leaders. This budget increases direct state support for SUNY campuses, maintains the resident undergraduate tuition freeze, and provides critical resources to support student success and economic growth across New York, including here in Central New York. I was proud to support these investments in higher education and opportunity.”
State Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “The FY 2027 State Budget demonstrates our continued commitment to providing students with access to a high-quality, affordable public higher education. The $54 million in new Direct State Tax Support for SUNY will strengthen campuses across the State and help ensure they have the resources needed to meet the evolving needs of students and our workforce. I am pleased that Central New York SUNY institutions will receive $2.75 million in targeted investments. These funds will support academic programs, student services, and campus improvements that directly benefit our region.”
State Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “This year’s budget reaffirms the importance of continued investments in SUNY and the affordable, high-quality education they deliver for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. As tuition freezes stay in place with the addition of new funding, a college degree becomes more attainable for more people – shifting the costs away from students and letting them focus on what matters most. I am proud to have worked with my Assembly colleagues to secure this essential funding for our SUNY communities.”
SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum said, “SUNY Cortland is grateful to the many state leaders who worked together to ensure that New York continues to be a leader in public higher education. This year’s budget reflects strong commitments to accessibility, affordability and academic excellence — priorities that we hold dear at SUNY Cortland. On our campus, students stand to benefit through investment in the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program, expanded support services and the university’s participation in ASAP|ACE completion efforts beginning in Fall 2026. We are proud to help demonstrate the extraordinary value and impact of a SUNY education.”
SUNY ESF President Joanie Mahoney said, “The adopted State budget increases funding for SUNY, including direct support for ESF. The College thanks the Governor, State Legislature, local delegation, and Chancellor King for their leadership and advocacy. ESF will receive a fourth consecutive increase in state aid through $54 million in additional SUNY funding along with support from the Environmental Protection Fund for key programs. The budget also authorizes exploration of a public-private partnership for a new residence hall and provides $5 million for mass timber research. ESF appreciates this investment and looks forward to putting these resources to work.”
SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers said, “The enacted State Budget reflects a strong commitment to student access and success. Investments in SUNY Reconnect, EOP, the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center and the expansion of ASAP and ACE will help more New Yorkers pursue higher education, complete their degrees and prepare for meaningful careers. SUNY Morrisville is proud to be part of this effort, and we appreciate Governor Hochul and our legislative leaders for their continued support of our mission, our students and the future of New York State. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their continued support of our mission, our students and for strengthening our regional communities.”
SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu said, “SUNY Oswego joins Chancellor John King in applauding the 2026–27 Enacted Budget for its strategic investment in the State University of New York system and extending our deep appreciation to Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature. Here at SUNY Oswego, we are grateful to our local legislators for their continued support and commitment to providing meaningful funding for both campus operations and critical capital improvements. The additional investment in capital renewal will help us maintain modern, high-quality facilities and infrastructure that support the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, while continuing to provide an affordable and accessible pathway to higher education.”
SUNY Upstate Medical University President Mantosh Dewan, MD said, “We thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to healthcare in Central New York and for reappropriating $450 million for the Upstate Hospital Annex. We are also grateful to SUNY Chancellor King, Senate and Assembly leadership, and our Central New York delegation for their partnership and advocacy. Together, their support will help expand access to high-quality care, strengthen our healthcare workforce, and ensure Upstate Medical University can meet the growing needs of our region for years to come.”
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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