(The Center Square) – Thousands of college-educated New Yorkers will be able to go back to school to get retrained under an initiative unveiled Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which comes in response to warnings that artificial intelligence is reshaping the economy and job market.
But, she’s not sure how much it will cost the state, yet.
Hochul announced that beginning in January, eligible New Yorkers will be able to enroll in a “high demand” industry associate degree program at the State University of New York and City University of New York systems, tuition-free, even if they have already completed a college degree in a different field.
Hochul says the move, which expands the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program, is part of a broader effort to offset the impact of AI on the state’s workforce. The Democrat said the initiative will allow thousands of New York workers to move into high-growth fields, such as cybersecurity, engineering and advanced manufacturing.
“As AI continues to reshape the global economy, I’m taking action to ensure more New Yorkers have the skills they need to succeed,” Hochul said in a statement. “By expanding access to free community college, we’re making it even easier for adult learners to pivot into fast-growing, high-demand sectors without taking on a single dollar of tuition debt.”
The expansion will take effect in January for the spring semester, according to the Hochul administration. Eligible New Yorkers will be able to apply in coming months, the administration said, based on the individual application periods for each SUNY or CUNY campus.
The Hochul administration didn’t say how much the expansion of the “free” college initiative will cost or whether it will require additional funding from the state Legislature.
Hochul launched the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program in 2025, giving New Yorkers between the ages of 22 and 55 the option to enroll in a SUNY or CUNY associate degree program. Until now, the program was only open to adults who didn’t have a college degree.
The Hochul administration said the program has already helped more than 15,000 adult learners access free community college in high-demand fields, saving them thousands of dollars per year in tuition and other costs.
The governor also created the state FutureWorks Commission to gauge how AI is affecting employment, provide training opportunities for workers, and resources for small businesses. The commission is expected to release its initial report and recommendations by the end of the year.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said the initiative is “empowering adult New Yorkers – whether starting fresh or returning with a prior degree – to master high-demand fields like cybersecurity, tech, engineering and healthcare in an economy that is being reshaped by AI.”
He said the expansion “reinforces this vital mission by ensuring cost is never a barrier for students looking to reskill, elevating our city’s workforce and securing New York’s economic future.”
