Nassau Community College is joining a statewide initiative to make higher education more accessible for adults seeking to complete an associate degree. The program, SUNY Reconnect, offers free tuition to New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 who do not already hold a college degree.
Jerry Kornbluth, vice president for Community and Governmental Relations at Nassau Community College, said the program allows students to return to school without financial barriers, providing flexibility for full- or part-time study. Students must enroll in at least six credits per semester and can complete their degree within 10 semesters. A one-year leave of absence is allowed without losing eligibility.
“This is a really solid program,” Kornbluth said. “It’s designed for students returning to college after time away, giving them an opportunity to pursue high-demand careers while balancing work and family.”
SUNY Reconnect focuses on fields where workforce demand is high, including nursing, healthcare, cybersecurity, health information technology, and teacher education. Kornbluth said these areas were chosen because current professionals are retiring or there are not enough trained workers entering the field.
Nassau Community College has seen strong interest in the program. For the fall semester, about 251 students enrolled, with roughly 224 documented in internal reporting. Preliminary data shows 71 percent of participants are female, largely reflecting concentrations in nursing and education, and the largest age group is 25 to 34. About 60 percent attend part-time, while 40 percent attend full-time.
Students are required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to receive financial support. Kornbluth said the program provides an economic boost to the state by helping adults earn degrees without accruing debt.
“If students can get a two-year degree for free, that’s huge,” Kornbluth said. “It opens doors to jobs, career advancement, and the option to continue toward a four-year degree if they choose.”
Kornbluth, who previously taught mathematics and statistics at Nassau Community College and rose to full professor before moving into administration, noted the initiative could expand to additional degree programs in the future if successful.
SUNY Reconnect is available at all SUNY community colleges, and a parallel program exists at CUNY community colleges.
