Governor Hochul eliminates mandatory SUNY fees for more than 7,500 graduate student workers across New York

New York – Graduate students working at State University of New York campuses will no longer have to pay mandatory fees, a change New York officials say will make master’s and doctoral programs more affordable for thousands of students.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the fee elimination for graduate student workers at SUNY State-operated campuses, bringing an end to a four-year phase-out of the charges. The fees had previously averaged about $2,000 per student each year.

The change affects more than 7,500 graduate student workers across the SUNY system. These students often balance advanced degree programs with jobs that support their campuses, including research positions, teaching assistant roles and other responsibilities tied to regular university operations.

For many graduate students, the fees represented a significant expense while they were already living on relatively modest stipends. The elimination is intended to remove one of those financial pressures and allow students to put more of their resources toward their education and daily expenses.

“SUNY provides academic excellence, and through my administration, we are looking at every possibility to make higher education more affordable,” Governor Hochul said. “Our graduate student workers serve as teachers, researchers and other critical functions on our campuses while pursuing their degrees, and, with this step forward, we are supporting them in continuing to play these vital roles.”

The policy marks the conclusion of a process that has taken several years. Rather than removing the fees all at once, New York phased them out over a four-year period. Continued state investment in SUNY operations through Enacted State Budgets beginning in 2023/24 helped support the elimination.

State officials and university leaders described the move as part of a broader effort to reduce financial barriers to higher education. For graduate students, the issue was especially significant because their work and studies are closely connected. Many contribute directly to the academic mission of their campuses while pursuing their own degrees.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said eliminating the fees reinforces the university system’s goal of making higher education accessible while maintaining strong academic programs.

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“The elimination of fees for graduate student workers advances SUNY’s commitment to affordable excellence for students throughout New York State. Thank you to Governor Hochul, the State Legislature, and SUNY Board of Trustees for continuously supporting initiatives that help our students thrive.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees also pointed to the financial relief provided by the policy. Trustees said removing the fees would help student workers concentrate on their studies and campus responsibilities without the added cost.

“With the steadfast support and leadership of Governor Hochul, this initiative mitigates financial barriers and ensures student workers are able to focus fully on their academic careers. The elimination of fees furthers

SUNY’s commitment to offering access to an affordable education that helps our students reach their full potential.”

The change also reflects years of advocacy by lawmakers and the Communications Workers of America, which represents graduate student workers at SUNY.

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State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said the fee issue had been a concern for years. She said graduate assistants receive tuition waivers but had still been required to pay roughly $2,000 in mandatory fees.

“As Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, I have worked for many years with the CWA to eliminate these fees and introduced this version of the bill in 2021. Graduate assistants receive a tuition waiver, and then they are billed roughly $2,000 in mandatory fees against a stipend of about $20,000. That is a barrier we can remove, and today we have removed it for more than 7,500 students. I thank the CWA for its advocacy and partnership, and Governor Hochul for making it happen.”

The difference between the fees and student stipends was a central concern for supporters of the change. Graduate assistants can earn a relatively limited income while working on advanced degrees, making a mandatory annual charge of about $2,000 a substantial financial burden.

Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman also welcomed the elimination, saying the policy would benefit not only students but their families.

“Providing graduate student workers at SUNY schools a relief from school fees will be a benefit for them and their families. Scholars pursuing their master’s and doctorate degrees while supporting SUNY campuses as researchers, teacher assistants and more, should not be weighed down by $2,000 fees.”

For the union representing affected workers, the announcement represents the result of a long campaign. CWA Local 1104 President Michael Ippoliti said graduate student workers play an important role throughout the SUNY system and should not have to return part of their earnings to the universities where they work.

“Our members put their hearts and souls into their work and are a vital piece of the entire SUNY system. Being forced to pay fees back to the universities that employ them has been an unconscionable burden. We’ve worked for years at the bargaining table and in Albany to make changes to this system, and I’m very proud of our members who’ve never given up the fight, as well as appreciative to the Governor and Legislature who’ve worked with us to make this a reality. I’m thrilled to see this day finally come when we can say that these fees have been eliminated once and for all!”

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis G. Trainor said the decision could have an effect beyond the students who directly benefit from the savings. He described graduate student workers as an important part of the broader university workforce.

“This is a great day for SUNY’s graduate workforce, as well as the whole university system, and I can say without a doubt that this will have a huge and lasting impact on SUNY’s workforce as well as the students they educate. I want to thank Governor Hochul and her team as well as the full Legislature, particularly bill sponsors Senator Stavisky and Assemblymember Solages, for their partnership in working to address this issue and collaborating with us to fight for a stronger, more fair and affordable New York.”

The more than 7,500 graduate student workers affected by the change perform a wide range of duties at SUNY campuses. Some conduct research, others serve as student teaching assistants, while others help with day-to-day campus operations.

Their work means the financial change is not simply about reducing a university charge. Supporters say it also recognizes the role graduate students play in keeping campuses functioning and contributing to teaching and research.

The elimination of mandatory fees gives those students one less expense to manage as they work toward master’s and doctoral degrees. It also represents the final step in a four-year effort supported by the governor, state lawmakers, SUNY leadership and graduate student worker advocates.

With the fees now eliminated, state officials say the focus can turn toward ensuring graduate students continue to have the support they need to succeed academically while contributing to SUNY campuses across New York.