N.Y. Education Law § 6401-a: State aid for high needs nursing programs for certain independent institutions of higher learning

§ 6401-a. State aid for high needs nursing programs for certain

independent institutions of higher learning. 1. Notwithstanding the

provisions of any general, special or local law to the contrary, the

commissioner is hereby authorized to grant state aid for high needs

nursing programs to any independent institution of higher education

within the state which meets the requirements of subdivision two of this

section, upon application by such institution, such amounts of state aid

as are authorized to be paid by subdivision three of this section.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, in order to

qualify for state aid grants pursuant to this section, any independent

institution of higher education must meet the requirements set forth in

paragraphs (a) through (d) of this subdivision.

(a) The institution must be a non-profit college or university

incorporated by the regents or by the legislature.

(b) The institution must maintain an earned degree program in nursing,

culminating in an associate or higher degree in nursing.

(c) The institution must meet such standards of educational quality

applicable to comparable public institutions of higher education, as may

be from time to time established by the regents.

(d) The institution must be eligible for state aid under the

provisions of the constitution of the United States and the constitution

of the state of New York.

3. The commissioner shall grant such state aid awards within the

amounts appropriated for such purpose, not to exceed one million dollars

and based on availability of funds, according to a schedule to be

determined by the commissioner, to each institution meeting the

requirements of subdivision two of this section. Awards shall be

distributed in the following amounts:

(a) Two hundred fifty dollars per student enrolled in an earned degree

program in nursing at a two year degree granting institution;

(b) Five hundred dollars per student enrolled in an earned degree

program in nursing at a four year degree granting institution.

4. The commissioner shall promulgate all rules and regulations

necessary for the implementation of this section.