A New Deal
Aligned with the New Deal for SUNY, which aims to provide tuition-free education, there’s an urgent need to address the financial barriers faced by students like myself within the SUNY system. My journey navigating the complexities of financial aid reflects the challenges encountered by many working-class students and families striving to access higher education. Upon applying to SUNY Albany, I was confronted with the daunting task of financing my education with limited resources. While fortunate to secure a scholarship from Visa Inc. covering a significant portion of my tuition and housing costs, I still grappled with an outstanding balance and additional expenses not covered by traditional financial aid avenues like TAP. Despite my family’s annual household income falling below $90k, I encountered the limitations of TAP, which solely addressed tuition fees, leaving me responsible for expenses such as housing and textbooks. This disparity between available financial aid and the actual cost of attendance threatened to derail my educational aspirations. Thankfully, my father’s ability to contribute out of pocket alleviated the immediate financial strain, enabling me to continue my studies. However, reliance on external assistance highlighted the systemic disparities ingrained in the current higher education framework. The proposed New Deal for SUNY, aiming to make SUNY schools tuition-free for in-state residents, presents a transformative opportunity to address these disparities head-on. By reallocating funds from existing financial aid programs like TAP to directly support SUNY institutions, this legislation would ease the financial burden on students and families, fostering greater accessibility to higher education opportunities. Expanding TAP to encompass a broader spectrum of expenses beyond tuition fees is equally crucial to ensure equitable access to education for all students. Strategic reforms recognizing the comprehensive cost of earning a degree are vital in leveling the educational playing field and fostering socioeconomic mobility. My personal experience underscores the tangible impact of these policy changes and the significance of dismantling financial barriers to higher education. As someone who has navigated the labyrinth of financial aid firsthand, I am committed to advocating for initiatives that promote equity and affordability within the SUNY system. In summary, by strategically expanding financial aid programs like TAP and enacting legislation to make SUNY schools tuition-free, we can usher in a future where every student has the opportunity to pursue their educational aspirations without financial constraints hindering their journey. Through concerted efforts, we can create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape that empowers students to reach their full potential, regardless of socioeconomic status. Ymorah Blakeney is a student at the University of Albany, SUNY, studying business economics. She is passionate about bridging the wealth gap between Black and white people, affordable housing, and higher education access for lower-income families.